Quarterly Estimated Payments Due Dates
If you expect to owe more than $1,000 in taxes (that’s earning roughly $5,000 in self-employment income), then you are required to pay estimated taxes.
People who work for an employer have a portion of their taxes taken out of each paycheck. Self-employed workers don’t, so you’ll need to pay your own taxes. Most self-employed workers pay quarterly estimated taxes. You can use this simple tool to calculate your estimated taxes.
If you expect to owe more than $1,000 in taxes (that’s earning roughly $5,000 in self-employment income), then you are required to pay estimated taxes. If you don’t make estimated tax payments, you may be charged fees by the IRS.
Estimated payments are due four times a year on the following dates:
| Income from: | Quarterly Estimated Taxes Due: |
| January 1 to March 31 | April 15 |
| April 1 to May 31 | June 15 |
| June 1 to August 31 | September 15 |
| September 1 to December 31 | January 15 of the following year |
You are required to pay 100 percent of the total of your prior year’s taxes or 90 percent of your estimated current year’s taxes. If you make over $150,000 in self-employment income, you must pay 110 percent of last year’s taxes.
If you didn’t owe taxes last year, you aren’t required to make estimated tax payments. However, it is a good idea to pay estimated taxes so you don’t have a large bill at tax time that you are unprepared to pay.
If this is your first time earning self-employment income, you can estimate your yearly income based on your weekly earnings. Use this simple tool to calculate your estimated payment.
How to Pay
There are several easy ways to make your payments.
1. Electronic
If you’re comfortable online, one option is to use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS). You’ll have to enroll on their website. Just make sure to do this before a payment is due, as you won’t be able to make any payments the day you register.
Another electronic option is Direct Pay on the IRS website. Direct Pay does not require registration and, like EFTPS, makes payments directly from your bank account. There are no fees associated with direct bank transfers.
To make payments by debit or credit card, choose one of the IRS approved payment processors and note the varying processing fees.
If you e-file your taxes, you can make and schedule payments from your bank account at tax time with Electronic Funds Withdrawal.
2. Phone
You can choose one of the IRS-recognized service providers to make payments by phone with a credit or debit card. Ask about the processing fees before sharing your card information so you aren’t surprised.
Alternatively, once enrolled with EFTPS, you can make payments by phone.
3. Mail
If you prefer making a physical payment, you can mail a check or money order for your estimated payments. Once you’ve calculated the amount you must pay, fill out the payment voucher on Form 1040ES. This is the least secure payment method. Carefully consider other options available to you before mailing a payment.
Preparing for payments
Remembering to pay your estimated payments can be tricky. Set your own calendar reminders, phone alarms, or whatever it takes to remember these important deadlines.
It can also be hard to put money aside for quarterly estimated payments. One option is to establish automatic monthly or biweekly bank transfers to a designated account so that you don’t have access to any money you set aside for your taxes. You can also treat these payments like a bill and send a portion to the IRS each month when you pay other bills.
If it’s tax time and you can’t afford to pay your taxes, file your taxes anyway, as not filing can lead to penalty fees.
All information on this site is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. The Center on Budget & Policy Priorities and the CASH Campaign of Maryland are not liable for how you use this information. Please seek a tax professional for personal tax advice.
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Certain individuals are required to pay estimated tax.
You must pay state taxes as you earn or receive income during the year. If you are self-employed or you receive other income that’s not subject to withholding (e.g., interest, dividends, alimony, capital gains, and prizes), then you most likely need to make estimated tax payments.
How Do I Pay Estimated Tax?
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Determine How Much Estimated Tax You Need to Pay
The amount of estimated tax you need to pay depends on the amount of income you reasonably think you’ll earn during the year. If you’re not sure what amount to pay, the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) provides a schedule for computing your estimated tax as well as a tax rate schedule in its Tax Booklet.
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Decide If You Want to Pay in Full or in Quarterly Installments
You have two options for paying your estimated tax. You can pay it all at once when you make your first required installment, or you can pay it in quarterly installments during the year. If you pay in installments, each one is due on or before April 15, June 15, September 15, and the following January 15.
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Choose How to Make Your Payment
You can pay your estimated tax electronically with DOR, by mail, or in person.
How to Make Your Estimated Tax Payment
Pay electronically directly with DOR
- Use the Georgia Tax Center (GTC), the DOR’s secure electronic self-service portal, to manage and pay your estimated tax.
- If you’re not yet registered with the GTC, simply follow the instructions GTC provides to create an account.
- Fill out and submit any required forms.
- Follow all instructions to complete the forms and be sure to verify that all your information is correct before submitting.
- Pay your estimated tax via one of the payment options provided.
Pay by mail or in person
- Paying your estimated tax electronically is the fastest method. However, you can pay by mail or in person using an estimated tax payment voucher.
- If you do not already have a voucher, create one using the 500-ES Individual and Fiduciary Estimated Tax Payment Voucher form.
- Follow all instructions on the form and be sure to verify that all your information is correct before submitting.
- To pay by mail, follow the instructions provided in the form.
- To pay in person, you will need to schedule an appointment with the DOR.
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Next Steps
If you’ve paid all your estimated tax at once, you will not need to make any additional payments for the tax year. If you’ve chosen to pay in quarterly installments, be sure to continue to make payments when they are due (on or before April 15, June 15, September 15, and the following January 15).
Related Links
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Department of Revenue: Office
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1800 Century Boulevard, NE
Atlanta, GA 30345
This information was prepared as a public service of the State of Georgia to provide general information, not to advise on any specific legal problem. It is not, and cannot be construed to be, legal advice. If you have questions regarding any matter contained on this page, please contact the related agency.