1099 Quarterly Tax Calculator (Self-Employed Estimator)

Nobody withholds tax from 1099 income. The IRS expects self-employed people to pay in four times a year, and the bill catches most first-year hustlers off guard. Enter your expected profit and this tool splits the year's estimated federal tax into quarterly and monthly amounts.

What the Number Includes

Self-employment tax covers Social Security and Medicare at 15.3% on 92.35% of your net profit, and half of it is deductible against income tax. On top of that sits federal income tax at your bracket. State tax, credits, and dependents are not modeled here — treat the result as a floor, not a final figure.

Profit, Not Revenue

Tax applies to profit: what's left after mileage, supplies, software, fees, and other legitimate business expenses. Tracking expenses all year is the single biggest lever on this number. Log your miles — see the mileage deduction calculator for what each mile is worth to you.

The Simple System

Open a second checking account. The moment a client or platform pays you, move the monthly set-aside figure across. Pay the IRS from that account four times a year and never touch it otherwise.

When Payments Are Due

Quarterly estimated payments fall roughly in April, June, September, and January for the prior year. Confirm the current year's dates on the IRS site, since they shift with weekends and holidays.