09/17/2026
Typically, people who are self-employed pay their federal income tax by making estimated tax payments. However, they arenโt the only ones that may need to pay estimated tax. Federal income tax is a pay-as-you-go tax. Which means the tax must be paid as income is earned or received during the year. The two ways federal taxes are paid are either through withholding or estimated tax.
Taxpayers who receive income from sources not subject to withholding or donโt have enough withheld, may have to make estimated tax payments. The next estimated tax payment due date is January 15, 2027.
Even if a taxpayer isnโt self-employed, they still may have to pay estimated tax if they receive income from sources such as: interest, dividends, rents, capital gains, alimony and royalties.
Taxpayers who didnโt pay enough tax during the year, either through withholding or by making estimated tax payments, may have to pay a penalty.
Most taxpayers who make estimated tax payments pay on a quarterly basis. However, they can also be made weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc. if they have paid enough in by the end of the quarter. Visit IRS.gov/payments to view all the options.
