Quarterly Estimated Taxes: Don’t Let Q3 Sneak Up on You

Deadline Alert: September 15th is the Q3 estimated tax payment due date.

If you’re self-employed, a freelancer, contractor, or small business owner, this isn’t just another date on the calendar — it’s your chance to avoid unnecessary IRS penalties and keep cash flow on track.

Let’s be real.

The IRS doesn’t care that you’re waiting on a client to pay their invoice or that you’re juggling side hustles. If you earned income without taxes withheld, you’re on the hook for estimated taxes four times a year. And if you miss a payment, you could face penalties and interest.

Who Needs to Pay

You should be making quarterly estimated tax payments if:

• You’re self-employed or a 1099 contractor.

• You run a small business or side hustle.

• You expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes for the year after subtracting credits and withholdings. (Ask yourself, did you owe more than $1,000 last year for taxes?)

Even if you’ve got a W-2 job, if you’re stacking side income on the weekends, you might still need to pay in.

So, How Much Should You Pay?

Here’s the simple rule:

• Pay at least 90% of this year’s tax bill or 100% of last year’s bill (110% if your income is higher).

• Break it into four equal payments — April, June, September, January.

👉 Example: If you expect to owe $12,000 this year, your quarterly payments should be about $3,000 each.

Pro Tip: Use IRS Form 1040-ES or tax software to calculate, but if your income is uneven (say you earn more in summer than winter), you may want to pay based on actual income each quarter.

How to Pay

The IRS makes it surprisingly easy (shocking, right?):

• IRS Direct Pay (online bank withdrawal)

• Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)

• Debit/credit card (fees apply)

• Mail a check with Form 1040-ES (AVOID at all cost)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Forgetting state estimated taxes — your state may have its own deadlines.

• ❌ Paying late (even one day late can trigger penalties).

• ❌ Guessing instead of calculating (overpaying ties up your cash, underpaying costs you penalties).

The Smart Move

Don’t just throw money at the IRS four times a year — plan strategically. With the right tax planning, you can reduce what you owe, smooth out cash flow, and even turn tax time into a wealth-building tool.

✅ Next Step for You
Don’t stress over math and deadlines. Let us run the numbers and set you up with a quarterly tax strategy that works for your business and lifestyle.

👉 Book a quick tax strategy consult today — beat the September 15th deadline with confidence.

⚡️ Trailblazing Tax Tip: Every client return we prepare is backed by audit protection, so you can file with peace of mind.

• ❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Q3 Estimated Taxes

  1. When is the Q3 2025 estimated tax deadline?
  September 15, 2025.

  2. What period of income does Q3 cover?
  June 1 – August 31, 2025.

  3. How do I pay estimated taxes?
  Use IRS Direct Pay, EFTPS, or mail Form 1040-ES with a check or money order.

  4. What happens if I miss the deadline?
  Penalties + interest apply until paid. Even if you catch up later, late payments cost extra.

  5. Can I skip Q3 if I overpaid in earlier quarters?
  Yes—if you’ve already met your required safe harbor (90% of 2025 or 100% of 2024 tax liability).