07/17/2026
If you don’t have tax withheld, the IRS may still expect payments during the year.
Estimated taxes are typically used by freelancers, gig workers, landlords, and small business owners. Instead of paying everything at filing time, you send payments in four periods based on your year-to-date income.
A practical way to plan: update your numbers each quarter—income received, business expenses, and any withholding (from a spouse’s W-2 or a part-time job). Then set aside a percentage of net income in a separate account so cash is ready when a payment is due.
Takeaway: Keep a quarterly routine—(1) total income, (2) subtract deductible expenses, (3) review withholding, (4) make or adjust your estimated payment, (5) save your support documents.