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How to Pay Estimated Quarterly Taxes Online
Your step-by-step guide for staying ahead of the IRS with links, dates, and answers to common questions
Why Do I Need to Pay Estimated Taxes?
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If you're a business owner, self-employed professional, freelancer, or side-hustler and you expect to owe at least $1,000 in taxes for the year, the IRS expects you to pay taxes quarterly.
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These payments cover:
✅ Self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare)
✅ Federal income tax
✅ Possibly state taxes, depending on where you live
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Estimated payments keep you from getting hit with penalties and avoid that heart-dropping moment when tax season hits and you’re staring down a giant balance.
2025 Estimated Tax Due Dates
Quarter Income Covered Payment Due Date
Q1 January 1 – March 31 April 15, 2025
Q2 April 1 – May 31 June 17, 2025
Q3 June 1 – August 31 September 16, 2025
Q4 September 1 – December 31 January 15, 2026
2025 Estimated Tax Due Dates
🔗 Click Here to Pay via IRS Direct Pay
This is the easiest and fastest way to pay. No login needed. No IRS account required.
Step-by-Step:
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Go to the IRS Direct Pay page
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Click Make a Payment
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For Reason for Payment, choose: Estimated Tax
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For Apply Payment To, choose: 1040ES
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Choose the Tax Year: 2025
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Verify your identity (you’ll need last year’s return info)
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Enter your bank account information
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Type in your payment amount
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Review and submit
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Save the confirmation page for your records
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Bonus: You can schedule future payments in advance so you don’t forget
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Prefer to Pay with a Debit or Credit Card?
You can. Just know the IRS-approved payment processors charge a small fee.
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Here are your options:
💳 ACI Payments
💳 pay1040
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Fee Reminder:
Debit card: about $2.50
Credit card: around 2 percent of the amount paid
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Not Sure How Much to Pay?
If you haven’t run the numbers yet, here’s a rough estimate you can use: Estimated Net Income × 92.35 percent × 15.3 percent (Self-Employment Tax) + Estimated Net Income × Income Tax Rate (usually between 10 and 22 percent)
A good rule of thumb: Set aside 25 to 30 percent of your net income for taxes
Or better yet, let us run the numbers for you and give you personalized estimates
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: Can I pay more than once per quarter?
Yes. You can make multiple payments at any time as long as you cover enough by the quarterly deadline.
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Q: What if I miss a payment?
You may owe a small penalty and interest. Make the payment as soon as possible to minimize fees.
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Q: Do I need to register for anything?
No. IRS Direct Pay does not require an account, and most debit or credit payment sites only need your tax information.
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Q: Can I pay my spouse’s estimate for a joint return?
Yes, just be sure to use the primary taxpayer’s information (the one listed first on the tax return).
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Still Have Questions? We Can Help.
At KB2 Bookkeeping & Tax, we help business owners stay compliant, save time, and avoid surprises. Taxes shouldn't be a guessing game.
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📞 Schedule a consult
📧 info@kb2bookkeeping.com
✨ Bookmark this page so it’s always handy when quarterly payments roll around ✨