Tax United States For freelancers & the self-employed

Self-Employment Tax & Quarterly Estimated Tax Check

Quarterly estimated tax check for freelancers: self-employment tax, 1040-ES due dates, safe harbor rules and how to avoid IRS underpayment penalties.

Start free check 11 questions · 7 minutes · No signup

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Did you know? The numbers behind this check.

15.3%Self-employment tax rate
$400 net earningsFiling threshold for SE tax
January 15, 2027Next estimated payment (Q4 2026)
100% or 110%Safe harbor (prior year)

Why this matters.

When you work for yourself, no employer withholds tax from your pay, so the IRS expects you to pay as you go. If your net earnings from self-employment are $400 or more you must file a return (IRC §6017) and pay self-employment tax of 15.3% on 92.35% of your net earnings: 12.4% Social Security up to the annual wage base and 2.9% Medicare with no cap (IRC §1401 and §1402). On top of that you owe regular income tax. Most freelancers, gig workers and 1099 contractors who expect to owe $1,000 or more for the year must make quarterly estimated payments using Form 1040-ES, due April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15.

Paying too little or too late triggers the underpayment penalty under IRC §6654, which works like interest and runs separately for each quarter. You can avoid it by meeting a safe harbor: paying at least 90% of this year’s tax, or 100% of last year’s (110% if last year’s adjusted gross income was over $150,000). Most states with an income tax have their own estimated payment rules too. This check shows whether your payments are on track and which deductions, such as half of your self-employment tax (§164(f)), the qualified business income deduction (§199A) and self-employed health insurance (§162(l)), you may be missing.

Have these to hand.

Your net profit (income minus business expenses) so far this year, roughly
Last year's federal tax return (Form 1040), especially total tax and adjusted gross income
Any estimated payments you have already made this year and the dates
Any 1099-NEC or 1099-K forms you expect to receive

What you’ll get.

1A score out of 100Where you stand today, at a glance.
2Findings ranked by riskWhat could cost you, highest risk first.
3A plan with timeframesWhat to fix first and by when.

Use this free tool to check whether you are paying enough tax as a freelancer, contractor or gig worker, find out if you risk an IRS underpayment penalty, and get a plan for your next quarterly estimated payment.