Quick Answer
For the 2026 tax year, federal estimated taxes are due April 15, 2026 (Q1), June 15, 2026 (Q2), September 15, 2026 (Q3), and January 15, 2027 (Q4). You generally must pay quarterly if you expect to owe $1,000 or more. Self-employment tax is 15.3% (12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare) on 92.35% of your net earnings.
2026 Quarterly Estimated Tax Due Dates
| Quarter | Income Period | 2026 Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | January 1 – March 31, 2026 | April 15, 2026 |
| Q2 | April 1 – May 31, 2026 | June 15, 2026 |
| Q3 | June 1 – August 31, 2026 | September 15, 2026 |
| Q4 | September 1 – December 31, 2026 | January 15, 2027 |
Weekend / holiday rule: if a due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.
Source: IRS Form 1040-ES (2026). Pay online at IRS Direct Pay or via EFTPS.
Self-Employment Tax Basics
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| SE tax rate | 15.3% total = 12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare |
| Applies to | 92.35% of your net self-employment earnings |
| Deduction | Deduct half of your SE tax as an above-the-line deduction |
| Estimated-tax threshold | Pay quarterly if you expect to owe $1,000 or more for the year |
| 1099-NEC threshold | A platform issues a 1099-NEC at $600+ in nonemployee comp (report all income regardless) |
| Forms | Form 1040-ES (estimated payments); Schedule C (profit/loss) + Schedule SE (SE tax) |
Source: IRS Form 1040-ES, Schedule SE, and IRS.gov self-employment tax guidance.
Worked Example: SE Tax on $20,000 Net Profit
Say your gig driving leaves you with $20,000 of net self-employment profit (after deducting mileage and expenses on Schedule C):
$20,000 × 0.9235 = $18,470; $18,470 × 0.153 = $2,825.91 (about $2,826); half ≈ $1,413. This is self-employment tax only and does not include federal or state income tax.
How to Pay Your Quarterly Taxes
- IRS Direct Pay: free bank-transfer payments at irs.gov/payments.
- EFTPS: the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (requires enrollment).
- By mail: send a check with the Form 1040-ES voucher for the quarter.
A common rule of thumb is to set aside roughly 25–30% of your net earnings for taxes so each quarterly payment is funded. To estimate what to set aside, use our gig tax calculator, and remember your mileage deduction (see the IRS mileage rate by year) lowers the profit those taxes are based on.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are 2026 quarterly estimated taxes due?
For the 2026 tax year, federal estimated tax payments are due April 15, 2026 (Q1), June 15, 2026 (Q2), September 15, 2026 (Q3), and January 15, 2027 (Q4). If a due date falls on a weekend or holiday, it shifts to the next business day.
Do I have to pay quarterly estimated taxes as a gig driver?
You generally must make quarterly estimated tax payments if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in tax for the year after withholding and credits. Most gig drivers have no withholding, so they typically meet this threshold and need to pay quarterly.
What is the self-employment tax rate?
Self-employment tax is 15.3% of net self-employment earnings: 12.4% for Social Security plus 2.9% for Medicare. It applies to 92.35% of your net self-employment income, and you can deduct half of the SE tax as an above-the-line deduction.
What forms do I use to pay estimated and self-employment tax?
Use Form 1040-ES to figure and pay quarterly estimated tax. At year end you report business income and expenses on Schedule C and calculate self-employment tax on Schedule SE, both filed with your Form 1040.
When will I get a 1099-NEC from a gig platform?
A platform issues a 1099-NEC when you earn $600 or more in nonemployee compensation for the year. Even if you earn less and receive no 1099, you must still report all of your gig income.
How much self-employment tax would I owe on $20,000 of profit?
On $20,000 of net self-employment profit, SE-taxable earnings are $20,000 times 0.9235, which is $18,470. SE tax is $18,470 times 15.3%, which is about $2,826. You can deduct half of that, about $1,413, above the line.
Tax Disclaimer
This is general information, not tax advice. Tax rules change and individual situations vary. Consult a qualified tax professional or CPA before filing.