Quarterly Tax Payments Made Simple

If you earn income without withholding—like freelance, consulting, or creator revenue—you may need to pay estimated taxes quarterly to avoid penalties.

The Basics

• Due dates: April, June, September, January
• What you pay: Federal income + self-employment tax (and often state)
• Safe harbor: Pay 100% (or 110% for high earners) of last year’s tax, or 90% of this year’s

How to Estimate

1. Project annual income and expenses
2. Calculate profit and self-employment tax
3. Add federal income tax (and state if applicable)
4. Divide by four (adjust as income changes)

How FileJoy Helps

• Auto-calculates safe harbor and recommended payment
• Tracks what you’ve paid and what remains
• Generates vouchers and links you to IRS payment portals

No more guesswork—stay penalty-free and cash-flow aware all year.