| Installment | Federal due | Federal | Virginia due | Virginia |
|---|
How this quarterly estimated tax calculator works
Estimated taxes are how you pay tax on income that has no withholding: self-employment profit, 1099 gig work, rental income, investment gains, or a pension with too little withheld. This quarterly estimated tax calculator uses the penalty safe harbors on Form 1040-ES and Virginia Form 760ES to find the smallest amount you need to pay on time.
- Check whether you must pay at all. Federally, if this year's tax minus withholding is under $1,000, no estimated payments are required. In Virginia, for 2026 and later, payments are required only if the amount you'll owe after withholding and credits is more than $1,000.
- Find your safe-harbor target. Federal: the smaller of 90% of this year's tax or 100% of last year's tax. Use 110% of last year's tax if last year's AGI was over $150,000 ($75,000 married filing separately). If last year's full-year return showed no tax liability, you don't need to pay estimates. Virginia: the smaller of 90% of this year's tax or 100% of last year's tax, if last year's return covered a full year and showed a tax liability.
- Subtract withholding. For the federal penalty, withholding is generally treated as paid evenly through the year, no matter when it was taken out — so extra withholding late in the year can make up for a short quarter.
- Split it into four installments. Each installment is a quarter of what's left. If some due dates have already passed, we spread the unpaid balance over the remaining dates. Any installment that was due earlier and missed can still carry a penalty for the time it was late.
2026 and 2027 estimated tax due dates
| Installment | Federal 2026 | Virginia 2026 | Federal 2027* | Virginia 2027* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | April 15, 2026 | May 1, 2026 | April 15, 2027 | May 3, 2027 |
| 2nd | June 15, 2026 | June 15, 2026 | June 15, 2027 | June 15, 2027 |
| 3rd | September 15, 2026 | September 15, 2026 | September 15, 2027 | September 15, 2027 |
| 4th | January 15, 2027 | January 15, 2027 | January 18, 2028 | January 18, 2028 |
*2027 dates are the statutory dates moved to the next business day where they fall on a weekend or holiday. May 1, 2027 is a Saturday. January 15, 2028 is a Saturday and Monday, January 17 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Confirm them when the 2027 forms are released. For 2026, you can skip the federal January payment if you file by February 1, 2027 and pay in full, and the Virginia January payment if you file and pay in full by March 1, 2027. Our 2026–2027 tax deadline calendar lists every other date.
Have a question about your situation?
Our team can look at your numbers and tell you exactly where you stand — in person in Fredericksburg or remotely from anywhere.
Thresholds and percentages used
| Rule | Federal (1040-ES) | Virginia (760ES) |
|---|---|---|
| Payments required if balance after withholding is | $1,000 or more | More than $1,000 (2026 and later) |
| Current-year safe harbor | 90% of this year's tax | 90% of this year's tax |
| Prior-year safe harbor | 100% of last year's tax | 100% of last year's tax (if it showed a liability) |
| Higher-income rule | 110% if prior-year AGI over $150,000 ($75,000 MFS) | None |
| Farmers and fishermen | 66⅔% and a single January payment | 66⅔% and a single January payment |
What this estimate leaves out
This calculator doesn't figure your tax for you — enter a solid estimate of this year's total tax. Use the federal income tax calculator, the self-employment tax calculator and the Virginia income tax calculator. It also assumes your income comes in evenly. If most of it arrives late in the year, the annualized income method (Form 2210 Schedule AI, or Virginia Form 760C) can lower the early installments. It doesn't cover fiscal-year filers, farmers and fishermen, or penalty calculations.
For the full picture — how to pay, what counts as income and how to catch up after a missed quarter — read our guide to quarterly estimated taxes for the self-employed. If you're behind on payments, we can help with tax planning for the rest of the year — book an appointment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the safe harbor for estimated taxes?
Federally, you generally avoid the underpayment penalty if withholding and timely estimated payments cover the smaller of 90% of this year's tax or 100% of last year's tax (110% if last year's AGI was over $150,000, or $75,000 married filing separately). You also owe no penalty if the balance due is under $1,000.
When do I have to make Virginia estimated tax payments?
For taxable years beginning in 2026, Virginia requires estimated payments if your Virginia tax after withholding and credits is expected to be more than $1,000. For 2026 the 760ES due dates are May 1, June 15 and September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027.
Can I skip the January estimated payment?
For 2026, you can skip the federal January 15, 2027 payment if you file your 2026 return by February 1, 2027 and pay the full balance. For Virginia, you can skip it if you file and pay in full by March 1, 2027.
Does Virginia use the 110% rule for high incomes?
No. Virginia's 760ES instructions use 90% of the current year's tax or 100% of the prior year's tax (if the prior-year return covered a full year and showed a tax liability), with no 110% rule.
