What you get
Three files, instant download
Excel / Google Sheets Template
The .xlsx file works in Microsoft Excel 2016 and later, plus Google Sheets. No macros. No add-ins required.
Step-by-Step Instructions
A complete HTML guide covering setup, how each tab works, and answers to the most common questions about the template.
Printable Worksheet
A clean, print-ready version so you can plan on paper first and fill in the spreadsheet later. No printer? Skip it entirely.
How it works
Quarterly Tax Calculator
The IRS expects quarterly payments if you'll owe more than $1,000 at year-end and no employer is withholding for you. Miss all four deadlines and you pay a penalty on top of the tax. This is one of those situations where paying slightly too much on time costs nothing, and guessing wrong costs 4-6% extra.
This calculator tells you what to pay and when.
US version uses 2026 IRS rates: 15.3% self-employment tax on 92.35% of net earnings up to the $184,500 Social Security wage base, 2.9% Medicare on amounts above it. Federal income tax bracket table included. Enter your state's rate separately.
International version: the rate fields are open inputs. Enter your applicable tax rate and the quarterly payment schedule adjusts to your jurisdiction.
What's in the file:
- Income entry by quarter: gross revenue minus business expenses equals net
- SE tax calculation with the 50% SE deduction applied automatically
- Federal income tax estimate using 2026 brackets (adjustable for future years)
- Safe harbor calculator: 100% of prior year tax liability avoids penalty
- Due dates pre-loaded: Apr 15, Jun 15, Sep 15 2026, and Jan 15 2027
- Deduction inputs: home office, mileage at the current IRS rate, health insurance, retirement contributions
- International tab with adjustable rate and local quarterly schedule
Works in Excel and Google Sheets.
Features
What's inside
- Self-employment tax: 15.3% on 92.35% of net earnings (US 2026 rates)
- Quarterly estimated payment amounts (Q1-Q4 due dates)
- Safe harbor calculation to avoid underpayment penalty
- International version: adjustable rate for any country
- Deduction inputs: home office, mileage, health insurance
- Works in Excel 2016+ and Google Sheets
Inside the template
Sample data
Real numbers showing what the spreadsheet looks like once you enter your information.
| QUARTER | NET INCOME | TAX OWED |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Income | $52,000 | -- |
| Business Expenses | -$8,400 | -- |
| Net Self-Emp. Income | $43,600 | -- |
| SE Tax (15.3%) | -- | $6,671 |
| Federal Income Tax | -- | $5,027 |
| Q2 Payment Due Jun 17 | -- | $2,924 |
Ready to start
Quarterly Tax Calculator
All sales are final, since the file arrives the moment you pay. If it will not open or does not match this page, tell us and we will make it right. Full terms.
Instant download after purchase. Works in Excel and Google Sheets. No macros, no subscription, no setup beyond entering your numbers.
Microsoft Excel 2016+ Google Sheets
Common questions
FAQ
Does it cover self-employment tax as well as income tax?
Both. Self-employment tax is 15.3% on 92.35% of net earnings, and it is the one that surprises people who have only ever been employees, because an employer used to pay half of it. Income tax is calculated on top, across brackets, after the deductible half of SE tax.
What about state tax?
There is a state rate input and the sheet applies it as a flat percentage, which is right for the flat-rate states and approximate for the graduated ones. It does not model 50 state bracket systems. For a state with steep graduated rates, treat the state figure as an estimate and confirm the rate with your own return.
What is the safe harbor and does this use it?
The safe harbor is the rule that paying either 100% of last year's tax, or 110% if you earned above the threshold, avoids an underpayment penalty regardless of how the current year turns out. The sheet calculates both that figure and the estimate from actual income, and tells you which to send. In a rising-income year the safe harbor is usually the smaller payment.
How do I get the files after buying?
Stripe takes the payment and the download link is emailed within a few seconds, no account needed. The link lasts 30 days and allows 10 downloads. Lost it? Send yourself a fresh one.
Refunds, file formats, Google Sheets, and customizing the template are covered on the templates page.