When I went freelance, nobody withheld anything from my pay, and my first April was painful. Now I run a ten-minute routine each quarter.
1. Total net profit so far. Income minus business expenses for the year to date. Be honest about expenses you can document.
2. Work out self-employment tax. It's roughly 15.3% on 92.35% of net profit, covering Social Security and Medicare. The self-employment tax calculator for 2026 does the math, including the Social Security wage cap.
3. Estimate income tax and split it. The quarterly estimated tax calculator turns your annual estimate into payment amounts and shows the 2026 due dates (the next one is January 15).
4. Set aside cash every invoice. I move about 25-30% of each payment into a separate account, so the quarterly payment is never a surprise.
5. Track mileage as you go. If you drive for work, log trips weekly; the mileage reimbursement calculator uses the 2026 rate.
This isn't tax advice, just a simple system. A CPA can confirm your numbers, but showing up with them already organized saves you time and fees.
