The IRS 1040-ES form is used by individuals to calculate and pay estimated taxes on income that is not subject to withholding. This form is essential for self-employed individuals or those with significant income from sources such as investments or rental properties. Understanding how to complete and submit the 1040-ES can help taxpayers avoid penalties and ensure compliance with tax obligations.
The IRS 1040-ES form serves as a crucial tool for individuals who need to pay estimated taxes throughout the year. This form is particularly relevant for self-employed individuals, freelancers, and those with significant income not subject to withholding, such as rental income or dividends. By using the 1040-ES, taxpayers can calculate and submit quarterly payments, ensuring they meet their tax obligations and avoid potential penalties for underpayment. The form includes worksheets to help estimate the amount owed based on expected income, deductions, and credits. Additionally, it provides payment vouchers that can be mailed along with payments or submitted electronically. Understanding the nuances of the 1040-ES form is essential for effective tax planning and compliance, allowing taxpayers to manage their finances and avoid surprises come tax season.
2026
Form 1040-ES
Estimated Tax for Individuals
Purpose of This Package
Exception. You don’t have to pay estimated tax for 2026
Use Form 1040-ES to figure and pay your estimated tax
if you were a U.S. citizen or resident alien for all of 2025
for 2026.
and you had no tax liability for the full 12-month 2025 tax
Estimated tax is the method used to pay tax on income
year. You had no tax liability for 2025 if your total tax was
zero or you didn’t have to file an income tax return.
that isn’t subject to withholding (for example, earnings
Special Rules
from self-employment, including gig economy work,
interest, dividends, rents, alimony, etc.). In addition, if you
There are special rules for those who have income from
don’t elect voluntary withholding, you should make
farming and fishing, for certain household employers, and
estimated tax payments on other taxable income, such as
for certain higher income taxpayers.
unemployment compensation and the taxable part of your
Farming and fishing. If at least two-thirds of your gross
social security benefits.
Preprinted vouchers. If you made estimated tax
income for 2025 or 2026 is from farming or fishing,
substitute 662/3% for 90% in (2a) under General Rule.
payments for 2025, this package may contain vouchers
Household employers. When estimating the tax on your
that are preprinted with your name, address, and SSN.
If your name or SSN isn’t correct, make the
2026 tax return, include your household employment
taxes if either of the following applies.
TIP
necessary changes on the vouchers. Cross out
• You will have federal income tax withheld from wages,
the name and SSN of a deceased or divorced
pensions, annuities, gambling winnings, or other income.
spouse.
• You would be required to make estimated tax payments
Change of address. If your address has changed, file
to avoid a penalty even if you didn’t include household
employment taxes when figuring your estimated tax.
Form 8822, to update your record.
Higher income taxpayers. If your adjusted gross
Future developments. For the latest information about
income (AGI) for 2025 was more than $150,000 ($75,000
developments related to Form 1040-ES and its
if your filing status for 2026 is married filing separately),
instructions, such as legislation enacted after they were
substitute 110% for 100% in (2b) under General Rule,
published, go to
IRS.gov/Form1040ES
.
earlier. If at least two-thirds of your gross income for 2025
Who Must Make Estimated Tax
or 2026 is from farming or fishing, this rule doesn’t apply.
Payments
Increase Your Withholding
The estimated tax rules apply to:
If you also receive salaries and wages, you may be able to
•
U.S. citizens and resident aliens;
avoid having to make estimated tax payments on your
Residents of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands,
other income by asking your employer to take more tax out
Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
of your earnings. To do this, file a new Form W-4,
Islands, and American Samoa; and
Employee’s Withholding Certificate, with your employer.
Nonresident aliens (use Form 1040-ES (NR)).
Generally, if you receive a pension or annuity, you can
General Rule
use Form W-4P, Withholding Certificate for Periodic
Pension or Annuity Payments, to start or change your
In most cases, you must pay estimated tax for 2026 if both
withholding from these payments.
of the following apply.
You can also choose to have federal income tax
1. You expect to owe at least $1,000 in tax for 2026,
withheld from certain government payments (see Form
after subtracting your withholding and refundable credits.
W-4V, Voluntary Withholding Request) or from
2. You expect your withholding and refundable credits
nonperiodic payments and eligible rollover distributions
to be less than the smaller of:
(see Form W-4R, Withholding Certificate for Nonperiodic
or a.
90% of the tax to be shown on your 2026 tax return,
Payments and Eligible Rollover Distributions).
You can use the Tax Withholding Estimator at
b. 100% of the tax shown on your 2025 tax return. Your
IRS.gov/W4App
to determine whether you need to
2025 tax return must cover all 12 months.
have your withholding increased or decreased.
Note: These percentages may be different if you have
Additional Information You May Need
income from farming or fishing or are a higher income
You can find most of the information you will need in Pub.
taxpayer. See Special Rules, later.
505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax, and in the 2025
Instructions for Form 1040.
Feb 12, 2026
Form 1040-ES (2026) Catalog Number 11340T
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service www.irs.gov
For details on how to get forms and publications, see the instructions for the 2025 Form 1040 and 1040-SR.
What’s New
In figuring your 2026 estimated tax, be sure to consider the following.
Standard deduction amount increased. For 2026, the standard deduction amount has been increased for all filers. If you don’t itemize your deductions, you can take the 2026 standard deduction listed in the following chart for your filing status.
IF your 2026 filing status is...
THEN your standard
deduction is...
Married filing jointly or
$32,200
Qualifying surviving spouse
Head of household
$24,150
Single or Married filing separately
$16,100
However, if you can be claimed as a dependent on
another person’s 2026 return, your standard deduction is
the greater of:
$1,350, or
Your earned income plus $450 (up to the standard
deduction amount).
Your standard deduction is increased by the following
amount if, at the end of 2026, you are:
An unmarried individual (single or head of household)
and are:
65 or older or blind
$2,050
65 or older and blind
$4,100
•A married individual (filing jointly or separately) or a qualifying surviving spouse and are:
$1,650
$3,300
Both spouses 65 or older
$3,300*
Both spouses 65 or older and blind
$6,600*
*Only if married filing jointly. If married filing separately, these amounts do not apply.
Your standard deduction is zero if (a) your spouse ! itemizes on a separate return, or (b) you were a
CAUTION dual-status alien and you do not elect to be taxed as a resident alien for 2026.
Social security tax. For 2026, the maximum amount of earned income (wages and net earnings from self-employment) subject to the social security tax is $184,500.
Additional child tax credit amount. For 2026, the maximum additional child tax credit amount is $1,700 for each qualifying child.
Adoption credit or exclusion. For 2026, the maximum adoption credit or exclusion for employer-provided adoption benefits has increased to $17,670. In order to
claim either the credit or exclusion, your modified adjusted gross income must be less than $305,080. For 2026, up to $5,120 of the adoption credit is now refundable. The refundable portion is determined per child.
Changes to QBID. Recent legislation made the qualified business income deduction (QBID) permanent. In addition, beginning in 2026, if you have a minimum of $1,000 in total qualified business income from an active trade or business, you may be able to claim a minimum QBID of $400. Also, the phase-in range for taxpayers who are married filing jointly will increase to $150,000 and to $75,000 for all other filing statuses.
Casualty loss deduction made permanent and ex- panded. The deduction for certain personal casualty losses has been made permanent. In addition, beginning in 2026, a personal casualty loss deduction can also include losses associated with a state-declared disaster. For more information, see the Instructions for Form 4684 and Pub. 547.
Deduction for educator expenses. Beginning in 2026, if you are an eligible educator with qualifying expenses, you may be able to claim a deduction for those expenses on Form 1040, Schedule 1, as well as an itemized deduction on Schedule A (Form 1040). You will take the deduction on Schedule 1 (Form 1040) and then determine the amount of any itemized deduction you can take on Schedule A. The type of expenses that qualify for each deduction is slightly different.
Limit on itemized deductions. For 2026, your overall itemized deductions may be reduced. If your taxable income is more than the following amounts, your itemized deductions will be reduced by 5.4% of the lesser of (1) your total itemized deductions or (2) the amount your taxable income is more than the following amounts.
• $768,700 if Married filing jointly or Qualifying surviving spouse,
• $640,600 if Head of household or Single, or
• $384,350 if Married filing separately.
The limitation will be applied after any other applicable limitations on your itemized deductions and will not apply when figuring any QBID.
Moving expense deduction for members of the intelli- gence community. Beginning in 2026, in addition to members of the Armed Forces, members of the intelligence community may be able to deduct their moving expenses on Schedule 1 (Form 1040). For more information, see the instructions for Schedule 1 (Form 1040).
Limitation on deductible gambling losses. Beginning in 2026, your gambling loss deduction on Schedule A (Form 1040) will be limited to 90% of your gambling winnings.
Changes to the child and dependent care credit. For 2026, recent legislation has enhanced the credit for qualifying child and dependent care expenses paid for the care of an eligible child. The credit amount remains $3,000 ($6,000 for two or more qualifying children) but the maximum credit rate has increased from 35% to 50% of your qualifying expenses.
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Form 1040-ES (2026)
Charitable contribution deductions for non-itemizers. Beginning in 2026, you can claim a deduction for cash contributions made to eligible tax-exempt organizations. You don’t have to itemize to take the deduction. The maximum deduction is $1,000 ($2,000 for married filing jointly) with certain other limitations.
Charitable deduction floor for itemized deductions. Beginning in 2026, if you itemize, you can only deduct charitable contributions that are more than 0.5% of your adjusted gross income. Any amount that falls under the 0.5% floor will not be deductible. This limitation is in addition to the overall limit on itemized deductions. Any amount that you can’t claim as a deduction will be added to any charitable contribution carryover amount and you may be able to claim those amounts in a future year. Expiration of certain credits. The following credits have expired and you can no longer claim them on your return in 2026.
• Credit for new clean vehicles.
• Credit for previously owned clean vehicles.
• Credit for commercial clean vehicles.
• Credit for energy efficient home improvements.
• Credit for residential clean energy systems.
The credit for alternative refueling property expires in 2026 for property acquired and placed in service after June 30, 2026.
SSN required for education credits. Beginning in 2026, a valid social security number issued before the due date of the return (including extensions) is required in order to be eligible to claim the American Opportunity Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit. If you are claiming the American Opportunity Credit, you must include the EIN of the institution to which you paid qualified tuition and related expenses on Form 8863.
Changes to the premium tax credit. Beginning in 2026, the following changes apply to the premium tax credit.
• If your household income is more than 400% of the federal poverty line, you are no longer eligible for the premium tax credit.
• There is no longer a limit on the amount you will have to pay back if you received too much in advanced credit; this is true even if your household income is less than 400% of the federal poverty line.
Changes to information returns for qualified tips. If you received qualified tips in 2026, these tips should be reported to you as follows.
• Form W-2, box 12, code “TP.”
• Form 1099-MISC, box 13a.
• Form 1099-NEC, box 1b.
• Form 1099-K, box 1c.
The Treasury Tipped Occupation Code(s) for the occupation in which you earned the qualified tips should be reported to you as follows.
• Form W-2, box 14b.
• Form 1099-MISC, box 13b.
• Form 1099-NEC, box 1c.
• Form 1099-K, box 1d.
You can use this information when figuring your 2026 deduction for qualified tips on Schedule 1-A (Form 1040). Also, see IRS.gov/TippedOccupations.
Changes to information returns for qualified over- time. If you received qualified overtime in 2026, the amount should be reported to you as follows:
• Form W-2, box 12, code “TT.”
• Form 1099-MISC, box 14.
• Form 1099-NEC, box 1d.
You can use this information when figuring your 2026 deduction for qualified overtime on Form 1040, Schedule 1-A.
Increase in threshold for backup withholding. Beginning in 2026, the amount of winnings subject to backup withholding and information reporting has increased. If you have winnings of at least $2,000 from bingo or slot machines, keno, and certain other gambling winnings, the payer will withhold a flat 24%.
Reminders
Trump account and new Form 4547. Recent legislation allows parents, guardians, and other authorized individuals to elect to establish a new type of individual retirement account, called a Trump account, for the exclusive benefit of certain children. If the child was born after 2024 and before 2029, is a U.S. citizen, and meets certain other requirements, the authorized individual may also elect to receive a $1,000 pilot program contribution to the child’s Trump account. Both elections can be made on Form 4547, which can be filed at the same time as the authorized individual’s 2026 income tax return. For more information on Trump accounts, and to learn how to make these elections, see Form 4547 and its instructions.
Expired individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) and renewal. If you have an ITIN that you haven’t included on a tax return in the last 3 consecutive years, it may be expired and you may need to renew it. If your ITIN has expired and you don’t have an SSN, you can make estimated tax payments before you renew your ITIN. To renew your ITIN, and for more information, see the Instructions for Form W-7.
Advance payments of the premium tax credit. If you buy health care insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you may be eligible for advance payments of the premium tax credit to help pay for your insurance coverage. Receiving too little or too much in advance will affect your refund or balance due. Promptly report changes in your income or family size to your Marketplace. See Form 8962 and its instructions for more information.
No tax on tips. You may be eligible to take a deduction for qualified tips paid to you in 2026. You can’t deduct more than $25,000 of those tips. Your deduction will be limited if your modified adjusted gross income is more than $150,000 ($300,000 if married filing jointly). To be eligible, you and/or your spouse who received the tips must have a valid SSN. If you are married, you must file a joint return.
No tax on overtime. If you earned qualified overtime, you may be eligible to deduct up to $12,500 ($25,000 if
3
married filing jointly) of your qualified overtime compensation. Your deduction will be limited if your modified adjusted gross income is more than $150,000 ($300,000 if married filing jointly). To be eligible, you and/or your spouse who received the overtime must have a valid SSN. If you are married, you must file a joint return. No tax on car loan interest. If you paid or accrued qualified passenger vehicle loan interest in 2026 on a vehicle you purchased after 2024 for personal use, you may be eligible to deduct up to $10,000 of that interest. Your deduction will be limited if your modified adjusted gross income is more than $100,000 ($200,000 if married filing jointly).
Enhanced deduction for seniors. If you were born before January 2, 1962, you may be eligible for an enhanced deduction for seniors. Your deduction will be limited if your modified adjusted gross income is more than $75,000 ($150,000 if married filing jointly). To be eligible, you and/or your spouse must have a valid SSN. If you are married, you must file a joint return. The maximum amount of the deduction is $6,000 ($12,000 if both spouses are eligible).
State and local tax deduction increased. The overall limit on the deduction for state and local income, sales, and property taxes has increased to $40,000 ($20,000 if married filing separately). The overall limit is reduced if your modified adjusted gross income is more than $500,000 ($250,000 if married filing separately) but will not be reduced below $10,000 ($5,000 if married filing separately). For more information, see the Instructions for Schedule A (Form 1040).
Changes to the child tax credit and additional child tax credit. To be eligible to claim the child tax credit (CTC) or additional child tax credit (ACTC), you must have a valid SSN, which means it must be valid for employment and issued before the due date of your return (including extensions). If you are filing a joint return, only one spouse is required to have a valid SSN in order to be eligible for the CTC and ACTC. The other spouse must have either an SSN or ITIN, and it must have been issued on or before the due date of the return (including extensions). Changes to the adoption credit. In addition to a portion of the adoption credit being refundable, Indian tribal governments now have parity with state governments in determinations of special needs adoptions.
Election to pay tax on farmland sale or exchange in installments. If you sold or exchanged qualified farmland to a qualified farmer, you can elect to pay the net income tax liability on the sale or exchange in four equal installments. For more information, see Form 1062 and its instructions.
Relief from additions to tax for underpayments appli- cable to an election made under section 1062. The IRS will waive the portion of the estimated tax penalty attributable to a qualified sale or exchange of qualified farmland to qualified farmers for which an election under section 1062(a) is properly made. Taxpayers that make an election under section 1062 to defer payment of tax may figure their required estimated tax payments using the guidance in Notice 2026-3. See Notice 2026-3, 2026-02
I.R.B. 307, available at IRS.gov/irb/ 2026-02_IRB#NOT-2026-3.
Form 1040-SS filers. The Estimated Tax Worksheet for filers of Form 1040-SS is included on Form 1040-ES.
Access Your Online Account
Go to IRS.gov/Account to securely access information about your federal tax account.
• View the amount you owe and a breakdown by tax year.
• See payment plan details or apply for a new payment plan.
• Make a payment or view 5 years of payment history and any pending or scheduled payments.
• Access your tax records, including key data from your most recent tax return, and transcripts.
• View digital copies of select notices from the IRS.
• Approve or reject authorization requests from tax professionals.
How To Figure Your Estimated Tax
You will need:
• The 2026 Estimated Tax Worksheet;
• The Instructions for the 2026 Estimated Tax Worksheet;
• The 2026 Tax Rate Schedules; and
• Your 2025 tax return and instructions to use as a guide to figuring your income, deductions, and credits (but be sure to consider the items listed under What's New, earlier).
Matching estimated tax payments to income. If you receive your income unevenly throughout the year (for example, because you operate your business on a seasonal basis or you have a large capital gain late in the year), you may be able to lower or eliminate the amount of your required estimated tax payment for one or more periods by using the annualized income installment method. See chapter 2 of Pub. 505 for details.
Changing your estimated tax. To amend or correct your estimated tax, see How To Amend Estimated Tax Payments, later.
!
You can’t make joint estimated tax payments if you
or your spouse is a nonresident alien, you are
CAUTION
separated under a decree of divorce or separate
maintenance, or you and your spouse have different tax years.
Additionally, individuals who are in registered domestic partnerships, civil unions, or other similar formal relationships that aren’t marriages under state law cannot make joint estimated tax payments. These individuals can take credit only for the estimated tax payments that they made.
Payment Due Dates
You can pay all of your estimated tax by April 15, 2026, or in four equal amounts by the dates shown below.
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1st payment
April 15, 2026
2nd payment
June 15, 2026
3rd payment
Sept. 15, 2026
4th payment
Jan. 15, 2027*
*You don’t have to make the payment due January 15, 2027, if you file your 2026 tax return by February 1, 2027, and pay the entire balance due with your return.
If you mail your payment and it is postmarked by the due date, the date of the U.S. postmark is considered the date of payment. If your payments are late or you didn’t pay enough, you may be charged a penalty for underpaying your tax. See When a Penalty Is Applied, later.
Recent clarification to the U.S. Postal Service ! (USPS) postmark rules makes clear that for
CAUTION purposes of the “timely mailing treated as timely filing/paying” rule for tax returns and payments, the postmarked date of a return/payment is the date the return is processed at a facility. This date may or may not be the date you drop your payment off in the mailbox or at a USPS location.
You can make more than four estimated tax TIP payments. To do so, make a copy of one of your
unused estimated tax payment vouchers, fill it in, and mail it with your payment. If you make more than four payments, to avoid a penalty, make sure the total of the amounts you pay during a payment period is at least as much as the amount required to be paid by the due date for that period. For other payment methods, see How To Pay Estimated Tax, later.
No income subject to estimated tax during first pay- ment period. If, after March 31, 2026, you have a large change in income, deductions, additional taxes, or credits that requires you to start making estimated tax payments, you should figure the amount of your estimated tax payments by using the annualized income installment method, explained in chapter 2 of Pub. 505. If you use the annualized income installment method, file Form 2210, including Schedule AI, with your 2026 tax return even if no penalty is owed.
Farming and fishing. If at least two-thirds of your gross income for 2025 or 2026 is from farming or fishing, you can do one of the following.
• Pay all of your estimated tax by January 15, 2027.
• File your 2026 Form 1040 or 1040-SR by March 1, 2027, and pay the total tax due. In this case, 2026 estimated tax payments aren’t required to avoid a penalty. Fiscal year taxpayers. You are on a fiscal year if your
12-month tax period ends on any day except December 31. Due dates for fiscal year taxpayers are the 15th day of the 4th, 6th, and 9th months of your current fiscal year and the 1st month of the following fiscal year. If any payment date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, use the next business day. See Pub. 509, Tax Calendars, for a list of all legal holidays.
Name Change
If you changed your name because of marriage, divorce, etc., and you made estimated tax payments using your former name, attach a statement to the front of your 2026 paper tax return. On the statement, show all of the estimated tax payments you (and your spouse, if filing jointly) made for 2026 and the name(s) and SSN(s) under which you made the payments.
Be sure to report the change to your local Social Security Administration office before filing your 2026 tax return. This prevents delays in processing your return and issuing refunds. It also safeguards your future social security benefits. For more details, call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 (TTY/TDD 800-325-0778).
How To Amend Estimated Tax Payments
To change or amend your estimated tax payments, refigure your total estimated tax payments due (see the 2026 Estimated Tax Worksheet). Then, to figure the payment due for each remaining payment period, see Amended estimated tax in chapter 2 of Pub. 505. If an estimated tax payment for a previous period is less than one-fourth of your amended estimated tax, you may owe a penalty when you file your return.
When a Penalty Is Applied
In some cases, you may owe a penalty when you file your return. The penalty is imposed on each underpayment for the number of days it remains unpaid. A penalty may be applied if you didn’t pay enough estimated tax for the year or you didn’t make the payments on time or in the required amount.
The penalty may be waived under certain conditions. See the Instructions for Form 2210 for details.
How To Pay Estimated Tax
Pay Online
Paying online is convenient and secure and helps make sure we get your payments on time. To pay your taxes online or for more information, go to IRS.gov/ ModernPayments.
Once you are issued a social security number, use it when paying your estimated taxes online. Use your SSN even if your SSN does not authorize employment or if you have been issued an SSN that authorizes employment and you lose your employment authorization. An ITIN will not be issued to you once you have been issued an SSN. If you received your SSN after previously using an ITIN, stop using your ITIN. Use your SSN instead.
Payments of U.S. tax must be remitted to the IRS in U.S. dollars. Digital assets are not accepted.
You can pay using any of the following methods.
• Your Online Account. You can make tax payments through your online account, including balance payments, estimated tax payments, or other types. You can also see your payment history and other tax records there. Go to IRS.gov/Account.
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•IRS Direct Pay. For online transfers directly from your checking or savings account at no cost to you, go to IRS.gov/Payments.
•Debit Card, Credit Card, or Digital Wallet. To pay by debit or credit card or digital wallet, go to IRS.gov/ Payments. A fee is charged by these service providers. You can also pay by phone with a debit or credit card. See Debit or credit card under Pay by Phone, later.
•Electronic Funds Withdrawal (EFW). EFW is an integrated e-file/e-pay option offered when filing your federal taxes electronically using tax preparation software, through a tax professional, or the IRS at IRS.gov/ Payments.
•Online Payment Agreement. If you can’t pay in full by the due date of your tax return, you can apply for an online monthly installment agreement at IRS.gov/OPA. Once you complete the online process, you will receive immediate notification of whether your agreement has been approved. A user fee is charged.
Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)
Allows you to pay your taxes online or by phone directly from your checking or savings account. There is no fee for this service, but you must be enrolled. See EFTPS under Pay by Phone, later.
Pay by Phone
Paying by phone is another safe and secure method of paying electronically. Use one of the following methods:
(1) call one of the debit or credit card service providers, or
(2) the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) to pay directly from your checking or savings account. Debit or credit card. Call one of our service providers. Each charges a fee that varies by provider, card type, and payment amount.
ACI Payments, Inc.
888-UPAY-TAXTM (888-872-9829) fed.acipayonline.com
Link2Gov Corporation
888-PAY-1040TM (888-729-1040) www.PAY1040.com
EFTPS. To get more information about EFTPS, visit EFTPS.gov or call 800-555-4477. To contact EFTPS using Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, dial 711 and then provide the TRS assistant the 800-555-4477 number above or 800-733-4829. Additional information about EFTPS is also available in Pub. 966.
Mobile Device
To pay through your mobile device, download the IRS2Go app.
Pay by Cash
You can pay your taxes in cash. To find out about the different cash payment methods, go to IRS.gov/PayCash. Don’t send cash payments through the mail.
Pay by Check or Money Order Using the Estimated Tax Payment Voucher
Before submitting a payment through the mail using the estimated tax payment voucher, please consider alternative methods. One of our safe, quick, and easy online payment options might be right for you.
If you choose to mail in your payment, there is a separate estimated tax payment voucher for each due date. The due date is shown in the upper-right corner. Complete and send in the voucher only if you are making a payment by check or money order. If you and your spouse plan to file separate returns, file separate vouchers instead of a joint voucher.
To complete the voucher, do the following.
• Print or type your name, address, and SSN in the space provided on the estimated tax payment voucher. Enter your SSN even if your SSN does not authorize employment or if you have been issued an SSN that authorizes employment and you lose your employment authorization. If you have an ITIN, enter it wherever your SSN is requested. An ITIN will not be issued to you once you have been issued an SSN. If you received your SSN after previously using an ITIN, stop using your ITIN. Use your SSN instead. If filing a joint voucher, also enter your spouse’s name and SSN. List the names and SSNs in the same order on the joint voucher as you will list them on your joint return.
• Enter in the box provided on the estimated tax payment voucher only the amount you are sending in by check or money order. When making payments of estimated tax, be sure to take into account any 2025 overpayment that you choose to credit against your 2026 tax, but don’t include the overpayment amount in this box.
• Make your check or money order payable to “United States Treasury.” Don’t send cash. To help process your payment accurately, enter the amount on the right side of the check like this: $ XXX.XX. Don’t use dashes or lines (for example, don’t enter “$ XXX—” or “$ XXX xx/100”).
• Enter “2026 Form 1040-ES” and your SSN on your check or money order. If you are filing a joint estimated tax payment voucher, enter the SSN that you will show first on your joint return.
• Enclose, but don’t staple or attach, your payment with the estimated tax payment voucher.
Notice to taxpayers presenting checks. When you provide a check as payment, you authorize us either to use information from your check to make a one-time electronic funds transfer from your account or to process the payment as a check transaction. When we use information from your check to make an electronic funds transfer, funds may be withdrawn from your account as soon as the same day we receive your payment, and you will not receive your check back from your financial institution.
No checks of $100 million or more accepted. The IRS can’t accept a single check (including a cashier’s check) for amounts of $100,000,000 ($100 million) or more. If you are sending $100 million or more by check, you will need to spread the payment over 2 or more checks with each check made out for an amount less than $100 million. This limit doesn’t apply to other methods of payment (such as electronic payments). Please consider
6
a method of payment other than check if the amount of the payment is over $100 million.
Where To File Your Estimated Tax Payment Voucher if Paying by Check or Money Order
Mail your estimated tax payment voucher and check or money order to the address shown below for the place where you live. Do not mail your tax return to this address or send an estimated tax payment without a payment voucher. Also, do not mail your estimated tax payments to the address shown in the Form 1040 instructions. If you need more payment vouchers, you can make a copy of one of your unused vouchers.
Caution: Only the USPS can deliver to P.O. boxes. You can’t use a private delivery service to make estimated tax payments required to be sent to a P.O. box. For proper delivery of your estimated tax payment to a P.O. box, you must include the box number in the address.
IF you live in...
THEN send it to...
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona,
Internal Revenue Service
A foreign country,
California, Colorado,
P.O. Box 1300
American Samoa, or
P.O. Box 1303
Florida, Georgia, Hawaii,
Charlotte, NC 28201-1300
Puerto Rico (or are
Charlotte, NC 28201-1303
Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana,
excluding income under
Michigan, Mississippi,
Internal Revenue Code
Montana, Nebraska,
933), or use an APO or
Nevada, New Mexico,
FPO address, or file
North Carolina, North
Form 2555 or 4563, or
Dakota, Ohio, Oregon,
are a dual-status alien or
Pennsylvania, South
nonpermanent resident
Carolina, South Dakota,
of Guam or the U.S.
Tennessee, Texas, Utah,
Virgin Islands
Washington, Wyoming
Arkansas, Connecticut,
Guam:
Department of
Delaware, District of
P.O. Box 931100
Bona fide residents*
Revenue and Taxation
Columbia, Illinois, Indiana,
Louisville, KY 40293-1100
Government of Guam
Iowa, Kentucky, Maine,
P.O. Box 23607
Maryland, Massachusetts,
GMF, GU 96921
Minnesota, Missouri, New
Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York, Oklahoma,
Rhode Island, Vermont,
Virginia, West Virginia,
Wisconsin
U.S. Virgin Islands:
Virgin Islands Bureau
of Internal Revenue
6115 Estate Smith Bay
Suite 225
St. Thomas, VI 00802
*Bona fide residents must prepare separate vouchers for estimated income tax and self-employment tax payments. Send the income tax vouchers to the address for bona fide residents and the self-employment tax vouchers to the address for non-bona fide residents.
Instructions for the 2026 Estimated Tax Worksheet
If you file Form 1040-SS, use the 2026 Estimated ! Tax Worksheet for Filers of Form 1040-SS.
Line 1. Adjusted gross income. When figuring the adjusted gross income you expect in 2026, be sure to
consider the items listed under What’s New, earlier. For more details on figuring your AGI, see Expected AGI—Line 1 in chapter 2 of Pub. 505.
If you are self-employed, be sure to take into account the deduction for self-employment tax. Use the 2026 Self-Employment Tax and Deduction Worksheet for Lines 1 and 9 of the Estimated Tax Worksheet to figure the amount to subtract when figuring your expected AGI. This
7
worksheet will also give you the amount to enter on line 9 of your estimated tax worksheet.
Line 7. Credits. See the 2025 Form 1040 or 1040-SR, line 19, and Schedule 3 (Form 1040), lines 1 through 6z, and the related instructions for the types of credits allowed.
When figuring your credits, keep in mind the
following credits can’t be claimed in 2026.
•Credit for new clean vehicles.
•Credit for previously owned clean vehicles.
•Credit for commercial clean vehicles.
•Credit for energy efficient home improvements.
•Credit for residential clean energy systems.
Line 9. Self-employment tax. If you and your spouse make joint estimated tax payments and both of you have self-employment income, figure the self-employment tax for each of you separately. Enter the total on line 9. When estimating your 2026 net earnings from self-employment, be sure to use only 92.35% (0.9235) of your total net profit from self-employment.
Line 10. Other taxes. Use the 2025 Instructions for Form 1040 to determine if you expect to owe, for 2026, any of the taxes that would have been entered on your 2025 Schedule 2 (Form 1040), line 8 through 12, 14 through 17z, and line 19 (see Exception 2, later). On line 10, enter the total of those taxes, subject to the following two exceptions.
Exception 1. Include household employment taxes from Schedule 2 (Form 1040), line 9, on this line only if:
• You will have federal income tax withheld from wages, pensions, annuities, gambling winnings, or other income; or
• You would be required to make estimated tax payments (to avoid a penalty) even if you didn’t include household employment taxes when figuring your estimated tax.
If you meet either of the above, include the total of your household employment taxes on line 10.
Exception 2. Because the following taxes are not required to be paid until the due date of your income tax (not including extensions), do not include them on line 10.
• Uncollected social security, Medicare tax, or RRTA tax on tips or group-term life insurance (Schedule 2, line 13).
• Recapture of federal mortgage subsidy (Schedule 2, line 17b).
• Excise tax on excess golden parachute payments (Schedule 2, line 17k).
• Excise tax on insider stock compensation from an expatriated corporation (Schedule 2, line 17m).
•Look-back interest under section 167(g) or 460(b) (Schedule 2, line 17n).
Additional Medicare Tax. For information about the Additional Medicare Tax, see the Instructions for Form 8959.
Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT). For information about the Net Investment Income Tax, see the Instructions for Form 8960.
Line 12b. Prior year’s tax. Enter the 2025 tax you figure according to the instructions in Figuring your 2025 tax, unless you meet one of the following exceptions.
• If the AGI shown on your 2025 return is more than $150,000 ($75,000 if married filing separately for 2026), enter 110% of your 2025 tax as figured next.
Note: If at least two-thirds of your gross income for 2025 was from farming or fishing, this doesn’t apply.
• If you will file a joint return for 2026 but you didn’t file a joint return for 2025, add the tax shown on your 2025 return to the tax shown on your spouse’s 2025 return and enter the total on line 12b.
• If you filed a joint return for 2025 but you will not file a joint return for 2026, first figure the tax both you and your spouse would have paid had you filed separate returns for 2025 using the same filing status as for 2026. Then multiply the tax on the joint return by a fraction, the numerator being the tax you would have paid had you filed a separate return, over the total tax you and your spouse would have paid had you filed separate returns. Enter this amount on line 12b.
• If you didn’t file a return for 2025 or your 2025 tax year was less than 12 full months, don’t complete line 12b. Instead, enter the amount from line 12a on line 12c.
Figuring your 2025 tax. Use the following instructions to figure your 2025 tax.
The tax shown on your 2025 Form 1040 or 1040-SR is the amount on Form 1040 or 1040-SR, line 24, reduced by:
1.Unreported social security and Medicare tax or RRTA tax from Schedule 2 (Form 1040), lines 5 and 6;
2.Any tax included on Schedule 2 (Form 1040), line 8, on excess contributions to an IRA, Archer MSA, Coverdell education savings account, health savings account, ABLE account, or on excess accumulations in qualified retirement plans;
3.Amounts on Schedule 2 (Form 1040) as listed under Exception 2, earlier; and
4.Any refundable credit amounts on Form 1040 or 1040-SR, lines 27a, 28, 29, and 30; and Schedule 3 (Form 1040), lines 9 and 12.
8
2026 Self-Employment Tax and Deduction Worksheet for
Keep for Your Records
Lines 1 and 9 of the Estimated Tax Worksheet
1a. Enter your expected income and profits subject to self-employment
tax* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1a.
b.If you will have farm income and also receive social security retirement or disability benefits, enter your expected Conservation Reserve Program payments that will be included on Schedule F (Form 1040) or
listed on Schedule K-1 (Form 1065)
b.
2.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Subtract line 1b from line 1a
3.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Multiply line 2 by 92.35% (0.9235) . .
4.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Multiply line 3 by 2.9% (0.029)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.
Social security tax maximum income
$184,500
6.Enter your expected wages (if subject to social security tax or the 6.2% portion of
tier 1 railroad retirement tax)
6.
7.
. .Subtract line 6 from line 5
Note: If line 7 is zero or less, enter -0- on line 9 and skip to line 10.
8.
Enter the smaller of line 3 or line 7
9.
. . . .Multiply line 8 by 12.4% (0.124)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10.
Add lines 4 and 9. Enter the result here and on line 9 of your 2026 Estimated Tax
Worksheet
11.
Multiply line 10 by 50% (0.50). This is your expected deduction for
self-employment tax on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), line 15. Subtract this
amount when figuring your expected AGI on line 1 of your 2026
Estimated Tax Worksheet
*Your net profit from self-employment is found on Schedule C (Form 1040), line 31; on Schedule F (Form 1040), line 34; and in box 14, code A, of Schedule K-1 (Form 1065).
9
2026 Tax Rate Schedules
Caution: Don’t use these Tax Rate Schedules to figure your 2025 taxes. Use only to figure your 2026 estimated taxes.
Schedule X—Use if your 2026 filing status is
Schedule Z—Use if your 2026 filing status is
Single
If line 3
The tax is:
is:
of the
But not
Over—
amount
over—
$0
$12,400
$-----------1,240.00
+
10%
$17,700
$-----------1,770.00
12,400
50,400
12%
17,700
67,450
105,700
5,800.00
22%
7,740.00
201,775
17,966.00
24%
201,750
16,155.00
256,225
41,024.00
32%
256,200
39,207.00
640,600
58,448.00
35%
56,631.00
-----------
192,979.25
37%
191,171.00
Schedule Y-1— Use if your 2026 filing status is
Schedule Y-2—Use if your 2026 filing status is
Married filing jointly or Qualifying surviving spouse
Married filing separately
$24,800
$-----------2,480.00
$1,240.00---------
24,800
100,800
211,400
11,600.00
403,550
35,932.00
512,450
82,048.00
768,700
116,896.00
384,350
---------
206,583.50
103,291.75
10
Filling out the IRS 1040-ES form is an important step in managing your estimated tax payments. After completing the form, you will be able to calculate and pay your estimated taxes for the upcoming year. This ensures that you stay compliant with tax regulations and avoid penalties.
What is the IRS 1040-ES form?
The IRS 1040-ES form is used by individuals to calculate and pay estimated quarterly taxes. This form is particularly important for those who do not have taxes withheld from their income, such as self-employed individuals, freelancers, and independent contractors. It helps taxpayers avoid penalties for underpayment of taxes throughout the year.
Who needs to file the 1040-ES?
Generally, you need to file the 1040-ES if you expect to owe at least $1,000 in tax after subtracting your withholding and refundable credits. This includes individuals with income from self-employment, rental properties, dividends, or interest. If your tax situation changes and you find yourself earning more than you initially anticipated, you may also need to file this form.
How do I calculate my estimated taxes?
To calculate your estimated taxes, you can use the worksheet provided in the 1040-ES instructions. The calculation typically involves estimating your total income, deductions, and credits for the year. After determining your expected tax liability, divide that amount by four to find your quarterly payment. Keep in mind that adjustments may be necessary if your income fluctuates throughout the year.
When are the estimated tax payments due?
Estimated tax payments are generally due on the following dates:
If any of these dates fall on a weekend or holiday, the due date is typically extended to the next business day.
Can I pay my estimated taxes online?
Yes, you can pay your estimated taxes online through the IRS website using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) or by using direct pay options. Online payments can be a convenient way to ensure your payments are made on time and can help you avoid potential penalties.
What happens if I miss a payment?
If you miss a payment, you may incur penalties and interest on the amount owed. The IRS typically assesses penalties for underpayment based on the amount of tax owed and how long it remains unpaid. To avoid this situation, it’s advisable to stay on top of your payment schedule and make estimated payments as required.
Can I adjust my estimated payments during the year?
Yes, you can adjust your estimated payments if your income changes significantly during the year. If you find that your income is higher or lower than expected, you can recalculate your estimated tax liability and adjust your payments accordingly. This flexibility can help you avoid overpaying or underpaying your taxes.
What if I overpay my estimated taxes?
If you overpay your estimated taxes, you have a couple of options. You can apply the overpayment to your next year's estimated taxes or request a refund when you file your annual tax return. Be sure to keep accurate records of your payments to facilitate this process.
Where can I find more information about the 1040-ES form?
For more detailed information about the IRS 1040-ES form, including instructions and worksheets, you can visit the official IRS website. There, you can find resources that can help you understand your tax obligations and ensure you’re filing correctly.
Filling out the IRS 1040-ES form can be a straightforward process, but many individuals make common mistakes that can lead to issues later on. One frequent error is not estimating income accurately. Many taxpayers underestimate their earnings, which can result in underpayment penalties when tax time arrives. It is essential to consider all sources of income, including freelance work, investments, and side jobs.
Another common mistake is failing to account for deductions and credits. Taxpayers often overlook eligible deductions that can lower their taxable income. This oversight can lead to higher estimated tax payments than necessary. Reviewing available deductions and credits is crucial to ensure that one pays only what is required.
Some individuals forget to update their estimated tax payments when their financial situation changes. For example, a significant increase in income or a change in employment status can affect the amount owed. Adjusting the estimated payments accordingly can help avoid penalties for underpayment.
In addition, many people neglect to keep accurate records of their payments. Failing to track payments made throughout the year can lead to confusion and potential overpayment. Maintaining a detailed record of all transactions related to estimated taxes is beneficial for accurate reporting.
Another mistake involves misunderstanding the due dates for payments. The IRS has specific deadlines for estimated tax payments, and missing these can result in penalties. Taxpayers should familiarize themselves with the payment schedule to ensure timely submissions.
Some individuals also make errors in calculating their estimated tax liability. Using incorrect methods or formulas can lead to inaccurate estimates. It is advisable to use the IRS guidelines or online calculators to ensure calculations are correct.
Moreover, many taxpayers fail to sign and date the form. This simple oversight can result in the form being rejected. Always ensure that the form is signed and dated before submission to avoid delays.
Another frequent issue is submitting the form without checking for errors. Typos or incorrect information can lead to complications. Reviewing the form thoroughly before submission is essential for accuracy.
Lastly, people often do not seek assistance when needed. Tax laws can be complex, and when in doubt, it is wise to consult a tax professional. Seeking help can prevent costly mistakes and ensure compliance with IRS regulations.
The IRS 1040-ES form is used by individuals to estimate and pay their quarterly income taxes. Along with this form, several other documents may be necessary to ensure accurate tax reporting and compliance. Here is a list of commonly used forms and documents that may accompany the 1040-ES.
These documents play a crucial role in the tax preparation process. They provide necessary information that can affect tax liability and eligibility for deductions or credits. Keeping these forms organized can help ensure a smoother filing experience.
The IRS 1040-ES form is similar to the IRS 1040 form, which is the standard individual income tax return used by taxpayers in the United States. While the 1040 form is filed annually to report total income, deductions, and tax liability, the 1040-ES is specifically designed for estimated tax payments. Taxpayers who expect to owe tax of $1,000 or more when they file their return must make these quarterly payments, making the 1040-ES a vital tool for managing tax obligations throughout the year.
Another document that shares similarities with the 1040-ES is the IRS 1040-V form, which is a payment voucher. This form is used by taxpayers who are submitting their tax payments with their returns. While the 1040-V is typically utilized for final tax payments, the 1040-ES serves a similar purpose for estimated payments. Both forms help ensure that taxpayers meet their obligations and avoid penalties for underpayment.
The IRS 1040-SR form is also comparable to the 1040-ES, particularly for seniors. The 1040-SR is a simplified version of the 1040 form, tailored for taxpayers aged 65 and older. Like the 1040-ES, it allows for the reporting of income and deductions, but it focuses on the unique needs of older adults. Both forms cater to specific taxpayer demographics and aim to streamline the tax filing process.
The IRS Schedule C form, used for reporting income from self-employment, is another document that aligns with the 1040-ES. Self-employed individuals often need to make estimated tax payments, just like those using the 1040-ES. The Schedule C helps determine net profit or loss from a business, which then influences the estimated taxes owed. Both forms are essential for accurately assessing tax liability for those with non-traditional income sources.
Lastly, the IRS Form 4868, which is an application for an automatic extension of time to file a tax return, is similar to the 1040-ES in that it addresses tax obligations. While the 1040-ES is about making estimated payments, Form 4868 allows taxpayers to extend their filing deadline. Taxpayers must still pay any taxes owed by the original deadline, making it important to estimate those amounts accurately, similar to the purpose of the 1040-ES.
When filling out the IRS 1040-ES form, it’s essential to approach the process with care. Here are some important dos and don’ts to keep in mind:
The IRS 1040-ES form can be a source of confusion for many taxpayers. Here are nine common misconceptions about this form, along with clarifications to help you better understand its purpose and use.
This is not true. While self-employed individuals often use this form to pay estimated taxes, anyone who expects to owe tax of $1,000 or more when they file their return may need to use it.
Many believe this form is exclusively for federal taxes. However, some states also require estimated tax payments, so it's essential to check your state’s requirements.
While the 1040-ES is designed for quarterly payments, you can make payments more frequently if you choose. Just ensure that you meet the total estimated tax requirement by the end of the year.
Paying estimated taxes doesn’t guarantee that you won’t owe anything when you file your annual return. Your total tax liability could still exceed what you paid in estimated taxes.
Not all income requires estimated tax payments. For example, if you have taxes withheld from your paycheck that cover your tax liability, you may not need to make additional payments.
Many people think this form is complicated, but it’s relatively straightforward. The form provides clear instructions on how to calculate your estimated tax payments.
This is a common mistake. Just because you received a refund last year doesn’t mean you won’t owe taxes this year. It’s important to assess your current financial situation.
This is a misconception. You can adjust your estimated payments throughout the year if your income changes or if you realize you’ve overpaid or underpaid.
While some taxpayers may not need to file 1040-ES, others who expect to owe taxes must do so. Ignoring this requirement can lead to penalties.
Understanding these misconceptions can help you navigate your tax obligations more effectively. Always consult with a tax professional if you have specific questions or need personalized advice.
The IRS 1040-ES form is used for estimating and paying quarterly taxes for individuals who expect to owe tax at the end of the year. Here are some key takeaways about filling out and using this form:
Free IRS 1040-ES Template in PDF