All four 2026 Form 1040-ES due dates (Q1: Apr 15, Q2: Jun 16, Q3: Sep 15, Q4: Jan 15, 2027), income periods, safe harbor rules, and how to avoid underpayment penalties.
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Featured Guide
How Much Should I Set Aside for Taxes as a Freelancer?
The most common question from new freelancers: exactly what percentage of every payment should go into a tax savings account? We walk through SE tax, income tax, and state taxes with real examples.
Read the GuideQuarterly Estimated Taxes
Due dates, payment methods, safe harbor rules, and penalty avoidance.
A practical formula for calculating your quarterly set-aside percentage based on your expected income, filing status, deductions, and state tax rate.
Read GuideBusiness Structure & Entity Choice
Sole proprietor, LLC, or S-Corp — understand the tax implications of each.
A comprehensive guide to understanding when an S-Corp election makes financial sense, what “reasonable salary” means, and the administrative costs involved.
- Break-even income calculator
- Reasonable salary guidance
- S-Corp election process
What changes when you move from W-2 employee to 1099 contractor: SE tax, withholding, deductions, benefits, and how to evaluate compensation offers fairly.
Read GuideTax Deductions for Self-Employed
Maximize your Schedule C deductions with these guides.
How to claim the $0.70/mile business mileage deduction, what records you must keep, and when the actual-expense method beats the standard rate.
Read GuideSimplified method ($5/sq ft, max $1,500) vs. regular method. Exclusive-use requirement, what qualifies, and how to claim on Form 8829 or Schedule C.
Read GuideHow to deduct 100% of health, dental, and vision premiums for yourself and family on Schedule 1, Line 17 (IRC §162(l)). Eligibility rules and limitations explained.
Read GuideClaim up to 20% off your qualified business income. Who qualifies, SSTB rules, income thresholds ($197,300 single / $394,600 MFJ), and W-2 wage limitations explained.
Read GuideRetirement Accounts for Self-Employed
The most powerful tax deductions available to freelancers.
Compare the two most popular self-employed retirement accounts: SEP-IRA (max $70,000) vs. Solo 401(k) (max $70,000 total; $23,500 employee). Deadlines, Roth options, and loan features covered.
Read GuideHow to calculate your SEP-IRA contribution (lesser of $70,000 or 25% of net self-employment income), the setup deadline, and how to open one before tax day.
Read GuideIRS Forms & Filing
Know what to file, when, and how.
Line-by-line walkthrough of Schedule C: what counts as gross income, which expenses are deductible, and how your net profit flows to Schedule SE for the self-employment tax calculation.
Read GuideStep-by-step: how to calculate your quarterly payment using Form 1040-ES worksheets, how to pay online via IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS, and how to track your payments.
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