Tax Reserve & Quarterly Estimate Planner
Self-employed income doesn't withhold tax for you. This planner estimates what you'll owe, what to hold back from each payment, and what to send the IRS each quarter.
Net business profit
$105,000.00
Self-employment / payroll tax
$14,836.03
Federal income tax
$8,462.04
State income tax
$3,079.10
Total estimated tax
$26,377.16
Effective rate
18.8%
Set aside from every deposit
22%
effective rate + a 3-point buffer for uneven income
Each remaining quarterly payment
$6,594.29
next due 2026-09-15 (14 days)
These are estimates. Want real numbers from a real CPA?
Real fee benchmarks for tax prep, bookkeeping, payroll, and advisory — by service and business type.
How it works
- Enter your business income and expenses, filing status, and business type.
- For an S-corp, add the reasonable W-2 salary you pay yourself — the rest is treated as a distribution.
- The planner computes self-employment (or payroll) tax, a simplified QBI deduction, federal income tax on the brackets, and a flat state amount.
- It then suggests a reserve percentage (effective rate + a 3-point buffer) and divides the remaining balance across the quarterly due dates.
Assumptions
- Federal tables: 2025 are IRS-final; 2026 are an inflation estimate and flagged as such.
- QBI is applied as a flat 20% with no wage/UBIA limit or phase-out.
- State tax is a single flat rate with no brackets, deductions, or credits.
- No NIIT, AMT, credits, retirement contributions, or itemized deductions are modeled.
- Quarterly due dates: Apr 15, Jun 15, Sep 15, Jan 15 (not shifted for weekends/holidays).
Frequently asked questions
Related
This planner produces rough estimates using simplified federal tables (2025 actual, 2026 estimated), a flat QBI assumption, and a single flat state rate. It is educational and planning assistance only — it is not tax advice, not a tax return, and not a substitute for a licensed CPA or EA reviewing your specific situation.
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2026 CPA Pricing Guide
Real fee benchmarks for tax prep, bookkeeping, payroll, and advisory — by service and business type.
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The Small Business Tax & Profit Playbook
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Tax & Bookkeeping Resource Library
Our complete advisor-grade collection — every premium asset an owner needs to run clean books, lower taxes, and recover messy ledgers, in one bundle.