Freelancers: how much to set aside before the Jan 15 estimated-tax deadline

If you got paid as a freelancer this year and nobody withheld tax, the IRS expects you to pay as you go. The last quarterly estimated payment for 2026 income is due January 15, 2027. Here's a simple way to stop that date from being a surprise. (General info, not tax advice; check with a tax pro for your situation.)

1. Know what you're actually paying

Self-employed income carries self-employment tax (15.3% on most net earnings) on top of regular income tax. That's why a "normal" paycheck mindset under-saves.

2. Pick a set-aside percentage and automate it

Many freelancers move a fixed share of every client payment, often somewhere around 25 to 30%, into a separate savings account the day it lands. The exact number depends on your bracket and state; the habit matters more than the decimal.

3. Use the safe-harbor rule to avoid penalties

You generally avoid the underpayment penalty if your estimates cover 100% of last year's total tax (110% if last year's AGI was over $150,000), or 90% of this year's. Divide that by four and you have a predictable target per quarter.

4. Track each payment against each quarter

One row per client payment, one column for the set-aside amount, one rollup per quarter, and a checkbox for "estimate paid." That's the whole system.

If you'd rather not build that table yourself, the OpsPack Tax Set-Aside + Quarterly Estimate Tracker for Notion ($12) has the payment log, set-aside formulas and quarterly rollups ready to duplicate. Free client-ops templates are at opspack.vercel.app/free.