Independent contractors and small business owners don’t have an employer automatically withholding payroll taxes. That means you’re responsible for estimating how much you owe and sending payments to the tax authorities yourself. Falling behind can lead to penalties and interest. This planner shows the remaining amount you should withhold based on your current income, deductions, and payments to date.
Your taxable income is calculated as gross income minus deductible expenses. Let represent income and represent expenses. Taxable income is . Multiply this figure by your expected tax rate to estimate total tax for the year:
If you’ve already made estimated payments or had tax withheld from other sources, subtract that amount to find what’s left to pay. Divide by four for recommended quarterly installments. Keeping up with quarterly deadlines helps you avoid a big bill when filing your annual return.
No one can predict their income perfectly, particularly if clients or projects vary throughout the year. The IRS safe harbor rule in the United States states that if you pay at least 90% of your current year tax or 100% of your previous year tax (110% for high earners), you won’t incur underpayment penalties. Use the planner each quarter to adjust as your earnings change.
Every legitimate business expense lowers your taxable income. Examples include office supplies, travel costs, professional software, and a portion of your home internet bill. Keep receipts and records organized. Many freelancers use spreadsheets or bookkeeping apps to categorize expenses. If you aren’t sure whether something is deductible, consulting a tax professional can save headaches later.
Estimated tax payments are typically due four times a year. In the U.S., the schedule is mid-April, mid-June, mid-September, and mid-January of the following year. Mark these dates on your calendar to avoid last-minute stress. Missing a deadline could result in a penalty that increases the longer you wait.
Suppose you expect to earn $60,000 from freelance work and $10,000 of that goes toward business expenses. Taxable income is . With a 25% tax rate, your yearly tax would be . If you’ve already paid $2,500, you still owe $10,000, or $2,500 per quarter.
Setting aside a portion of each payment you receive makes quarterly deadlines easier to meet. Many freelancers transfer a percentage of every invoice to a dedicated savings account. By saving gradually, you won’t risk dipping into funds earmarked for rent, payroll, or other operating costs. When tax day approaches, you’ll have the money ready.
If your business expands and income rises, the planner helps you see how tax obligations grow alongside profit. On the flip side, a slow quarter might prompt you to reduce your upcoming payment. Regularly updating the numbers prevents both overpaying and underpaying.
In addition to federal obligations, remember to account for state or provincial taxes. Some regions require separate estimated payments. Use the same approach: estimate taxable income, apply the relevant rate, subtract payments already made, and divide the remainder into installments.
This calculator offers a general guide, but individual circumstances vary. Complex deductions, large capital purchases, or multi-state work can complicate the picture. Working with a tax professional is often worth the investment. They can help you maximize deductions and ensure compliance with all rules.
Maintaining accurate books also simplifies life at filing time. Rather than scrambling through a year’s worth of receipts in April, you’ll have clear records ready for your return. Regular bookkeeping also highlights when your business is more or less profitable, guiding decisions about pricing, marketing, and future investments.
Taxes are a fact of life for freelancers and small business owners, but they don’t have to be a constant worry. This planner helps you visualize your obligations so you can set aside enough money and meet every quarterly deadline. Revisit it whenever your income shifts to keep your budget on track.
Calculate a bond's price based on coupon rate, yield to maturity, and payment frequency. Explore how interest rates affect fixed income investments.
Determine how much you'll spend on parking by entering hourly rates, daily maximums, and total days. Learn strategies to save money on parking.
Predict how much electricity you could save by automating lights and appliances. Enter your current usage and automation efficiency to see the potential annual reduction.