When are quarterly estimated taxes due in 2026?

The four 2026 quarterly tax deadlines are: April 15 (Q1), June 16 (Q2), September 15 (Q3), and January 15, 2027 (Q4).

How much should I set aside for taxes as a gig worker?

Most gig workers should set aside 25-30% of every payment for taxes. If you earn over $80,000 or live in a high-tax state like California or New York, set aside 30-35%.

1099 Tax Calculators for Gig Workers & Freelancers

Q: How much self-employment tax do I owe as a 1099 worker?

Self-employment tax is 15.3% on 92.35% of your net profit. This covers Social Security (12.4%) and Medicare (2.9%). You also owe federal income tax on top of this amount.

Free Tools

All 1099 Tax Calculators

Every calculator built for how gig workers actually earn. Pick your situation and get your number in 30 seconds.

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Self-Employment Tax Calculator

Calculate your 15.3% SE tax on net profit. Includes income tax estimate.

Quarterly Tax Calculator

Know exactly how much to send the IRS each quarter. Never get penalized.

Essential

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Uber & Lyft Driver Tax Calculator

Includes mileage deduction automatically. Built for rideshare income.

High Traffic

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DoorDash Tax Calculator

DoorDash-specific calculator with delivery mileage and bag deductions.

High Traffic

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Freelancer Take-Home Calculator

See your real take-home pay after all taxes on any freelance income.

Popular

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Mileage Deduction Calculator

2026 IRS rate: 72.5¢/mile. Enter your miles, see your deduction instantly.

Save Money

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1099 vs W-2 Comparison

Compare your take-home pay as a contractor vs. a full-time employee.

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Tax Bracket Finder

Find which federal tax bracket your gig income falls into for 2026.

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By Platform

Tax Guides by Gig Platform

Every platform is different. We break down the exact forms, deductions, and deadlines for each one.

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Uber Driver Taxes

1099-K, 1099-NEC, mileage deductions, quarterly payments

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DoorDash Taxes

Red card, mileage, hot bags — every deduction you can claim

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Instacart Taxes

Shopper vs. in-store, mileage, tip income guide

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Amazon Flex Taxes

Block pay, mileage tracking, vehicle expenses

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Upwork & Fiverr Taxes

Foreign income, platform fees, home office deductions

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Lyft Driver Taxes

Same as Uber — key differences in forms explained

2026 Tax Deadlines

Quarterly Payment Deadlines

Missing a quarterly payment costs you a penalty. Here are all four 2026 deadlines so you never miss one.

Quarter	Income Period	Due Date	Status
Q1 2026	Jan 1 – Mar 31	April 15, 2026	Passed
Q2 2026	Apr 1 – May 31	June 16, 2026	Passed
Q3 2026	Jun 1 – Aug 31	September 15, 2026	Coming Up
Q4 2026	Sep 1 – Dec 31	January 15, 2027	Upcoming

Save More Money

Top Tax Deductions for 1099 Workers

You only pay tax on your net profit, not gross income. Every deduction below reduces what you owe.

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Mileage — 72.5¢ per mile (2026)Track every business mile. At 10,000 miles/year that's a $7,250 deduction.
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Home Office DeductionDedicated workspace = deduct a portion of rent, utilities, and internet.
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Health Insurance PremiumsSelf-employed? Deduct 100% of premiums for yourself and family.
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Phone & Internet (business %)If you use your phone for work, deduct the business percentage (usually 50–80%).
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Half of SE TaxThe IRS lets you deduct 50% of your self-employment tax from gross income.
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SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k)Contribute up to $70,000/year pre-tax in 2026. Biggest deduction available.
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Equipment & SoftwareLaptop, camera, tools, subscriptions used for business — all deductible.
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Qualified Business Income (QBI) DeductionDeduct up to 20% of qualified net business income. Often overlooked.

See all 20 deductions →

Common Questions

1099 Tax FAQ

Self-employment tax is 15.3% applied to 92.35% of your net profit (gross income minus expenses). This covers Social Security (12.4%) and Medicare (2.9%). You also owe federal income tax separately. Use our SE tax calculator to get your exact number.

Yes. The $600 threshold is only when a platform is required to send you a 1099 form. The IRS requires you to report and pay taxes on any net self-employment income over $400 — regardless of whether you received a 1099.

The safe rule is to set aside 25–30% of every payment you receive. If you're in California, New York, or another high-tax state, set aside 30–35%. Move it immediately to a separate savings account so it's not tempting to spend.

A 1099-K is issued by payment platforms (PayPal, Venmo, Stripe, DoorDash, Uber) when you receive $5,000 or more through them in 2024–2025. Starting 2026 the threshold drops to $600. You must report this income on your tax return. It does not replace the 1099-NEC — you may get both.

Not the payment itself — but you can deduct business use of your car two ways: (1) Standard mileage rate at 72.5¢/mile for 2026, or (2) Actual expenses — gas, insurance, repairs, depreciation, prorated by business use %. Most gig workers do better with the mileage method. Use our mileage calculator.

The IRS charges an underpayment penalty — currently around 8% annually on the amount you underpaid, calculated per quarter. It's not a huge amount but it adds up. The easiest way to avoid it: pay at least 90% of this year's tax or 100% of last year's total tax bill (whichever is less).

See all 40 FAQ answers →