Businesses, corporations, self-employed individuals, retirees, and investors must pay their first quarter estimated tax payment for tax year 2025 on April 15, 2025.
Other payment periods and due dates are:
January 1 – March 31, 2025 – Due April 15, 2025
April 1 – May 31, 2025 – Due June 16, 2025
June 1 – August 31, 2025 – Due September 15, 2025
September 1 – December 31, 2025 – Due January 15, 2026
Note: If the due date for making an estimated tax payment falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the payment will be on time if you make it on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
Because federal income taxes are pay-as-you-go, the law requires individuals who do not have taxes withheld to pay taxes as their income is received or earned throughout the year. Most people meet their tax obligations by having their taxes deducted from their paychecks, pension payments, Social Security benefits or certain other government payments including unemployment compensation.
Taxpayers who are self-employed or in the gig economy are generally required to make estimated tax payments. Likewise, retirees, investors and others frequently need to make these payments because a significant portion of their income is not subject to withholding.
When estimating quarterly tax payments, taxpayers should include all forms of earned income, including part-time work, side jobs or the sale of goods or services, commonly reported on Form 1099-K.
Income such as interest, dividends, capital gains, alimony and rental income is normally not subject to withholding. By making quarterly estimated tax payments, taxpayers can avoid penalties and uphold their tax responsibilities.
Certain groups of taxpayers, including farmers and fishers, recent retirees, individuals with disabilities, those receiving irregular income and victims of disasters and terrorist attacks are eligible for exceptions to penalties.