Quarterly tax payments are due on April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 — but the exact deadline depends on which quarter you're in and whether you file as a business owner or self-employed individual.

If you're self-employed, run a business, or have income that isn't subject to withholding, the IRS requires you to make estimated quarterly tax payments four times a year. Missing a deadline can trigger penalties and interest, even if you end up owing nothing when you file your annual return. The payment you owe is based on your expected income for the year, not what you actually earned in that quarter.

The payment dates are fixed by the IRS and don't shift based on weekends or holidays — though if a due date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, you have until the next business day. The IRS doesn't send reminders, so tracking these dates yourself is essential.

Key Takeaways

  • Quarterly estimated tax payments are due April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 each year, with no exceptions for weekends or holidays beyond the next business day.
  • You owe quarterly payments if you're self-employed, own a business, or have income sources that don't have taxes withheld automatically.
  • The amount you pay each quarter is based on your estimated annual income and tax liability, not what you actually earned that quarter.
  • Paying late triggers penalties and interest calculated by the IRS, even if you ultimately owe no tax when you file your annual return.
  • You can pay online through IRS Direct Pay, by mail, or through an authorized payment processor, and payment confirmation arrives immediately for online methods.

Which quarter is coming up and when to pay

The four quarters run on the calendar year, not the fiscal year. Q1 covers January through March and is due April 15. Q2 covers April through May and is due June 15. Q3 covers June through August and is due September 15. Q4 covers September through December and is due January 15 of the following year.

If today is in January or early February, your next payment is the Q4 payment due January 15 (if you haven't paid it yet) or the Q1 payment due April 15. If you're in March or April, Q1 is due April 15. If you're in May or June, Q2 is due June 15. The pattern continues through the year. Mark all four dates on your calendar or set phone reminders at least one week before each due date.

If a due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday, the IRS gives you until the next business day. For example, if June 15 is a Saturday, you have until Monday June 17. The IRS website publishes the adjusted dates each year if holidays affect the schedule.

How to calculate what you owe each quarter

The IRS wants you to pay roughly one-quarter of your total expected tax liability for the year. You estimate this by projecting your annual income, subtracting deductions, and calculating the tax you'll owe on that amount. If your income is stable year to year, divide last year's total tax by four and pay that amount each quarter. If your income is rising or falling, adjust your estimate upward or downward.

Form 1040-ES, published by the IRS, walks you through the calculation step by step. It includes a worksheet where you enter your expected income, deductions, and credits, then it tells you what to pay. You don't file this form — it's a worksheet only — but keeping a copy for your records is smart. The form is free and available on the IRS website.

If you significantly underestimate and end up owing a lot at tax time, you'll owe penalties and interest on the shortfall. If you overestimate, you'll get a refund when you file your annual return. Many self-employed people overpay slightly to avoid penalties and treat the overpayment as an interest-free loan to themselves.

Payment methods and how long confirmation takes

IRS Direct Pay is the fastest and most direct route. You go to irs.gov, enter your tax information, and pay by bank transfer or debit card. There's no fee for bank transfers; debit card payments charge a small fee set by the payment processor. You get confirmation immediately and can print a receipt on the spot. The payment posts to your account within one business day.

Credit card payments go through an authorized payment processor, not the IRS directly. The processor charges a convenience fee (usually 1.87% to 2.35% of the payment amount) and you receive confirmation from them, not the IRS. The payment reaches the IRS within one to two business days. This method is useful if you want to earn credit card rewards, but the fee eats into any benefit you'd get.

Mail payments require a check or money order, your name, address, and tax ID, and the payment voucher (Form 1040-ES). Mail it to the IRS address listed in the Form 1040-ES instructions for your state. Mail takes 7 to 14 days to arrive, and the IRS processes it after that. The postmark date counts as the payment date, so mail your check at least one week before the due date to be safe.

Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) is another option if you've enrolled. It's free and works like Direct Pay but requires advance setup. You enroll once, then schedule payments online or by phone. Confirmation arrives within one business day.

What happens if you miss a quarterly payment deadline

The IRS charges underpayment penalties and interest on any amount you should have paid but didn't. The penalty rate and interest rate are set quarterly by the IRS and vary slightly each quarter. As of 2024, the underpayment penalty is roughly 8% annually, but check the IRS website for the current rate. Interest compounds daily.

The penalty applies to the shortfall amount from the date the payment was due until the date you actually pay. If you were supposed to pay $2,500 on June 15 but didn't pay until August 1, you owe the $2,500 plus penalties and interest for the 47-day gap. The longer you wait, the more the penalty and interest grow.

You can't avoid the penalty by paying everything at tax time. The IRS calculates underpayment penalties based on the quarterly schedule, not your annual filing. The only way to reduce or eliminate the penalty is to show that you had reasonable cause for underpaying — for example, a major unexpected loss of income or a serious illness. This requires filing Form 2210 with your tax return and explaining the circumstances. The IRS approves some claims and denies others; there's no may provide.

Adjusting your payments if your income changes mid-year

If your income drops sharply or rises unexpectedly, you can adjust your quarterly payments going forward. You don't have to pay the same amount every quarter. Recalculate your annual income estimate using Form 1040-ES and adjust Q3 or Q4 payments accordingly. This prevents overpaying or underpaying for the rest of the year.

If you underpaid in Q1 and Q2 but your income dropped in Q3, you can pay less in Q3 and Q4 without penalty, as long as your total payments for the year meet the IRS safe harbor. The safe harbor is either 90% of your current year tax or 100% of your prior year tax (110% if your prior year income was over $150,000). Meeting either threshold protects you from underpayment penalties.

Keep records of your income and expenses throughout the year so you can recalculate accurately. Waiting until September to estimate your full-year income is risky because you may have already underpaid Q1 and Q2 by then.

Tracking payments and what to keep for your records

Save your payment confirmation from each quarterly payment. If you paid online, print the confirmation page or screenshot it. If you mailed a check, keep a copy of the cancelled check or the receipt from your bank. If you paid by credit card, save the processor's confirmation email. These documents prove you paid on time if the IRS ever questions your account.

The IRS matches your payments to your tax ID and account automatically, but errors happen. If you paid but the IRS doesn't show the payment on your account after two weeks, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 with your confirmation number. They can trace the payment and correct the record.

When you file your annual tax return, you'll report all four quarterly payments on Form 1040 (line 37 for most filers). The IRS already has a record of your payments, so this is mainly for your own documentation. If you overpaid, you'll get a refund or can apply the overpayment to next year's estimated taxes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I didn't know I was supposed to make quarterly payments?

The IRS doesn't send notices before your first payment is due. If you missed payments in prior years, you owe underpayment penalties on those quarters. File your tax return and pay what you owe as soon as you can. The sooner you pay, the less interest accrues. Going forward, make all four quarterly payments to avoid future penalties.

Can I pay quarterly taxes with a credit card without a fee?

No. Credit card payments always charge a convenience fee set by the payment processor, usually 1.87% to 2.35% of the amount. Bank transfers through IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS are free. If you want to use a credit card for rewards, calculate whether the rewards offset the fee — often they don't.

Do I have to make quarterly payments if I'm an employee with a W-2 job?

No. Your employer withholds taxes from your paycheck automatically. You only make quarterly payments if you're self-employed, own a business, or have income that isn't subject to withholding, like rental income or investment gains. If you have both W-2 income and self-employment income, you may still owe quarterly payments on the self-employment portion.

What if I can't pay the full amount by the due date?

Pay whatever you can by the deadline. You'll owe underpayment penalties on the shortfall, but paying something is better than paying nothing. The penalty is calculated on the unpaid amount from the due date forward, so a partial payment reduces the penalty compared to paying nothing. You can also set up a payment plan with the IRS if you owe a large amount.

Can I pay next quarter's payment early?

Yes. You can pay any quarter early without penalty. Some people pay all four quarters at the start of the year to get it done. The IRS will credit early payments to the correct quarter based on the amount and your tax ID. Just make sure you're paying the right amount for each quarter based on your income estimate.