Quarterly tax deadlines for gig drivers
All four 2026 federal estimated-tax due dates in one place, with a live countdown to the next one and a plain-English guide to who owes quarterly.
Next deadline (Q3)
7 days · September 15, 2026
| Quarter | Covers income from | Due date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2026 | April 15, 2026 | Passed |
| Q2 | Apr 1 – May 31, 2026 | June 16, 2026 | Passed |
| Q3 | Jun 1 – Aug 31, 2026 | September 15, 2026 | 7 days left |
| Q4 | Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2026 | January 15, 2027 | Upcoming |
Dates reflect the 2026 calendar; the IRS shifts a due date to the next business day when the 15th lands on a weekend or federal holiday.
Most full-time gig drivers do.
- You expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal tax for the year after withholding and credits.
- Most or all of your income is 1099 (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart, rideshare, courier) with no employer withholding.
- You drive gig full-time or it's a major side income — even part-timers often clear the $1,000 threshold.
- You haven't been sending in estimated payments and will owe at year-end.
If you're unsure whether you'll cross the $1,000 line, the kit's estimated-tax calculator does the math for you in about a minute.
What to pay and when
Each quarter, you pay an estimate of the tax you'll owe on income earned in that quarter's period. Send it via IRS Direct Pay or Form 1040-ES by the due date above to avoid underpayment interest.
- Pay through IRS Direct Pay — free, no account needed.
- Keep the confirmation number with your payout records.
- State estimated tax (if your state has income tax) is usually due the same day.
Deadline FAQ
What happens if I miss a quarterly deadline?
The IRS charges interest on the underpaid amount from the due date until you pay — there's no penalty-free grace period. Paying as soon as you realize minimizes the interest.
Why are the dates not all the 15th?
When the 15th falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the due date shifts to the next business day. The four dates above reflect the 2026 calendar.
Do state deadlines match the federal ones?
Most states that levy income tax follow the same quarterly schedule, but a few differ. Your state-specific kit calls out any differences.
Get your state-specific quarterly kit
Pick your state, get this quarter's deadline cheat sheet, calculator, and printable trackers for $7 — in 60 seconds.
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