How much should I set aside for taxes if I'm self-employed?

A safe starting point is 25–30% of your net profit. Our quarterly calculator gives you a far more precise number based on your filing status and other income.

When are quarterly estimated taxes due?

Roughly mid-April, mid-June, mid-September, and mid-January. We send every client the exact voucher amount a week before each deadline.

Do you work with clients outside Austin?

Yes. Our secure portal and video consults mean we work with clients across the country — Austin is just where the coffee is.

What do I need to bring to my first consult?

Nothing for the intro call. If you'd like a more specific picture, last year's tax return and a rough sense of this year's income are helpful.

Resources

Stay ahead of every deadline.

A living tax calendar, calculators you can use right now, and guides that answer the questions clients actually ask — all free, all jargon-free.

The deadline hub

Your 2026 tax calendar.

The dates that matter, who they apply to, and what to do. Filter to just the ones relevant to you.

Filter:

Jan 15, 2026Estimate
Q4 2025 estimated tax due
Self-employed & 1099
Final quarterly payment for the 2025 tax year. Pay this to avoid an underpayment penalty.
Jan 31, 2026Business
1099-NEC & W-2 forms issued
Businesses with contractors
Deadline to send 1099-NEC to contractors and W-2s to employees, and file with the IRS/SSA.
Mar 17, 2026Filing
S-corp & partnership returns due
S-corps & partnerships
Form 1120-S and Form 1065 are due. Need more time? We'll file an extension to Sep 15.
Apr 15, 2026Filing
Individual & C-corp returns due
Everyone
The big one — Form 1040 and Form 1120 are due. Also the deadline for Q1 2026 estimates and IRA contributions.
Jun 16, 2026Estimate
Q2 2026 estimated tax due
Self-employed & 1099
Second quarterly payment for 2026. We'll send you the exact amount a week ahead.
Sep 15, 2026Estimate
Q3 estimate & extended business returns
Estimators & extended filers
Q3 2026 estimate due, plus the extended deadline for S-corp and partnership returns.
Oct 15, 2026Filing
Extended individual returns due
Extension filers
Final deadline for 2025 individual returns that were on extension. After this, late penalties apply.

Northstar clients get a personal reminder a week before every date that applies to them.

Free calculators

Run the numbers yourself.

Estimate your quarterly self-employment taxes or your real W-2 take-home pay. Everything stays in your browser.

What should I set aside each quarter?

For freelancers and 1099 contractors paying estimated taxes.

Net business profit

Your income after business expenses (the bottom line on your Schedule C).

Other household income

W-2 wages or a spouse's income, if any.

Filing status

Pay each quarter

$5,308

≈ $21,230 for the full year

Self-employment tax

$12,010

Federal income tax

$9,220

Taxable income

$64,395

Effective rate

25.0%

Estimates use simplified 2024 federal figures for illustration only — not tax advice. Your real number depends on credits, deductions, and state rules. Book a consult for the exact figure.

Guides

Plain-English answers.

Self-Employed

Quarterly Taxes, Explained Without the Panic

If you freelance or run a side business, the IRS wants its cut four times a year. Here's how to figure out what to pay — and how to never be surprised again.

6 min readRead

Business Structure

LLC or S-Corp? When the Election Pays Off

An S-corp election can save self-employment tax — but only past a certain income, and only if you run payroll properly. Here's where the line is.

7 min readRead

Deductions

12 Deductions Small-Business Owners Miss

From the home-office safe harbor to the QBI deduction, these are the write-offs we most often add back when a new client brings us last year's return.

5 min readRead

Self-Employed

Your First Year Freelancing: A Tax Checklist

New to 1099 life? Open the right accounts, set aside the right percentage, and you'll sail through your first filing instead of scrambling.

4 min readRead

Planning

Year-End Moves That Lower Your Bill

December is your last window to shape this year's taxes. A handful of well-timed moves can shift thousands — but only before the calendar flips.

5 min readRead

Compliance

Got an IRS Letter? What to Actually Do

Most IRS notices aren't audits — they're routine. Here's how to read the letter, what not to do, and when to call your CPA.

4 min readRead

Questions

Frequently asked.

Don't see yours? A quick consult is the fastest way to a clear answer.

Ask us directly

A safe starting point is 25–30% of your net profit. Our quarterly calculator gives you a far more precise number based on your filing status and other income.
Roughly mid-April, mid-June, mid-September, and mid-January. We send every client the exact voucher amount a week before each deadline.
Yes. Our secure portal and video consults mean we work with clients across the country — Austin is just where the coffee is.
Nothing for the intro call. If you'd like a more specific picture, last year's tax return and a rough sense of this year's income are helpful.

Your 2026 tax calendar.

Q4 2025 estimated tax due

1099-NEC & W-2 forms issued

S-corp & partnership returns due

Individual & C-corp returns due

Q2 2026 estimated tax due

Q3 estimate & extended business returns

Extended individual returns due