Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator
Annual tax ÷ 4 with a remaining-balance option for YTD payments — worksheet only. Click any i for detail.
Tax estimate
Estimated annual tax ($)
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Annual
Total federal (and state if you include it) you expect to owe for the year. |
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Already paid YTD ($)
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YTD
Prior estimated payments + withholding you want to count. |
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Quarters remaining
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Left
How many payments you still plan to make (1–4). |
How to use this calculator
- Enter your estimated annual tax.
- Subtract what you already paid if you want a catch-up schedule.
- Set how many quarters are left.
- Compare to IRS due dates and safe-harbor rules separately.
Results explained
A simple planning approach divides expected annual tax by four. If you have already paid some estimates or withholding, the remaining balance can be split across quarters left. IRS safe harbors, prior-year rules, and state estimates can change what you should actually send — this is arithmetic, not filing advice.
Quick reference: quarterly estimates
per_quarter = annual / 4; next ≈ (annual − ytd) / quarters_left.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Four equal | annual ÷ 4 |
| Catch-up | remaining ÷ quarters left |
| Federal due dates | Typically mid-Apr / mid-Jun / mid-Sep / mid-Jan |
| Safe harbor | Often based on prior-year tax — check current IRS Pub 505 |
Not tax advice — confirm with a tax professional or IRS/state guidance.
How the estimate is built
base = annual/4; suggested = max(0, annual − ytd) / quarters_left.
Example scenario
Annual $12,000, nothing paid, 4 quarters left → $3,000 per payment.
FAQ
Does this include state estimates?
Only if you folded state tax into the annual figure.
What if withholding covers me?
YTD can include withholding; you may owe $0 more in estimates.
Are due dates equal calendar quarters?
IRS estimated due dates are not strictly Mar/Jun/Sep/Dec ends — check the current calendar.
Penalty risk?
Underpayment penalties depend on safe harbors and timing — this page does not compute penalties.