If your business doesn’t have taxes automatically withheld from its income, the IRS expects you to pay as you go. Think of quarterly estimates as small, manageable supply drops made throughout your journey, rather than trying to carry the entire weight of a year’s worth of taxes in one giant pack come filing season.
- The Next Deadline: June 16, 2026
With Q1 estimates behind you, it’s time to look ahead. For income earned between April 1st and May 31st, your second quarterly payment is due June 16, 2026. Mid-year deadlines have a way of sneaking up fast — putting this one on your radar now keeps you ahead of the trail.
- Who Needs to Pay?
Not every business owner needs to make these payments, but most do. You generally need to make estimated payments if:
- Individuals/Sole Proprietors/S-Corp Shareholders: You expect to owe $1,000 or more when you file your return.
- C-Corporations: Your business expects to owe $500 or more.
- The “Side Hustle” Rule: Even if you have a W-2 job, if your side business or investments are growing, your employer’s withholding might no longer be enough to cover your total tax bill.
- Calculating Your “Supply Drop”
How do you know how much to send? There are two common ways to stay on the right path:
- The Safe Harbor Method: Many owners choose to pay 100% of the tax they owed last year (or 110% if your income exceeds a certain threshold). This protects you from underpayment penalties, even if your business has a record-breaking year.
- The 90% Rule: You can aim to pay at least 90% of what you expect to owe for the current year. This is helpful if you expect your income to be lower this year than last.
- Why Mid-Year Accuracy Matters
Q2 is a natural checkpoint to assess whether your estimates are still realistic. If your business had a stronger-than-expected Q1, your original projections may already be off. Adjusting now — rather than at year-end — keeps underpayment penalties from quietly eroding your margins.
How LTL Helps You Stay on Track
We don’t believe in “guesstimating.” At Lightening the Load, we help you review your real performance so far and calculate the right amount for each quarterly payment — enough to keep you safe, but not so much that you’re straining your cash flow.
Whether your year has been a steady climb or a faster sprint than expected, we’re here to make sure your tax strategy is ready for the miles ahead.
Let us lighten your load.
