# Q1 Estimated Tax: 15 April

Country: United States
When: 15 April (or following business day if weekend/holiday). For the 2026 tax year the four dates are 15 April 2026, 15 June 2026, 15 September 2026 and 15 January 2027. The first payment for the 2027 tax year is due 15 April 2027.

First quarter federal estimated tax payment for self-employed people, freelancers, partners and others without sufficient withholding. Covers 1 January – 31 March income. The safe harbors are 90% of the current year tax, or 100% of last year's tax, rising to 110% when last year's adjusted gross income was above $150,000. The self-employment tax part is 15.3%, with the Social Security part applying only up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500.

## Who this applies to

- Self-employed people earning Schedule C income
- Partners receiving K-1 distributions
- S-corp shareholders with non-W-2 K-1 income
- Anyone with significant non-wage income (rentals, investment, capital gains)

## What to file

Form 1040-ES voucher with payment, OR pay electronically via IRS Direct Pay / EFTPS without filing the voucher.

## How to file

Online via IRS Direct Pay (free, ACH) or EFTPS. Paper Form 1040-ES voucher accepted with check.

## Payment due

25% of expected annual tax (or per the safe-harbor rule of 100%/110% prior year).

## What happens if you miss it

Section 6654 underpayment penalty applies. Interest-based, calculated at the IRS underpayment rate, which is 7% for the fourth quarter of 2026, on the shortfall for each day it is late. Avoid by hitting safe harbor: 90% current year OR 100% prior year (110% if prior AGI > $150k).

## Submission checklist

- Estimate net SE earnings and other taxable income for the current tax year
- Calculate federal income tax + 15.3% SE tax
- Subtract any anticipated W-2 withholding
- Pay 25% by 15 April via IRS Direct Pay
- Repeat for Q2 (15 June), Q3 (15 September), Q4 (15 January)

## Documents you need

- Prior-year return to find last year's total tax
- Year-to-date profit and loss to project income
- Records of withholding from any W-2 job or spouse's job
- Previous estimated payment confirmations

## Common mistakes to avoid

- Forgetting Q1 because it coincides with prior year tax filing
- Under-estimating because you ignore SE tax (it's 15.3% on top of income tax)
- Skipping a quarter and assuming you can catch up: penalty calculated quarterly
- Using IRS Direct Pay but selecting wrong tax year

Source: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/estimated-taxes