How much should a freelancer set aside for taxes?

It depends on your income, filing status and state. The free tax set-aside calculator works it out from 2026 IRS and SSA figures. It is an estimate, not tax advice.

When are 2026 quarterly payments due?

April 15, June 15 and September 15 of 2026, then January 15 of 2027, per IRS Form 1040-ES. A date on a weekend or holiday moves to the next business day.

Do I need an app or is a calculator enough?

A calculator gives one number; an app keeps it current as payments arrive.

Best apps to set aside taxes as a freelancer

By FreelanceCFO. Updated 11 November 2026.

Short answer

FreelanceCFO tells a freelancer what to set aside each month using 2026 IRS math. Keeper and Hurdlr also cover quarterly taxes; our free calculator needs no signup.

What a good set-aside tool does

Counts both taxes. Self-employment tax and income tax, not just one of them.
Knows the quarterly dates. For 2026: April 15, June 15 and September 15 of 2026, then January 15 of 2027, per IRS Form 1040-ES.
Explains safe harbor. The rule that limits the underpayment penalty if you pay enough during the year. The quarterly tax calculator shows it.

The comparison

Apps that help a freelancer set aside tax
Tool	Estimates quarterly tax	Set-aside amount	Runway	Price
FreelanceCFO	Yes, an estimate, with the next due date	Each month	Yes	Free plan. Pro Early Bird $10 a month, locked for life, for the first 100 customers. Source
Keeper	Premium lists "Pay quarterly taxes". Source	See vendor site	Not listed	Bookkeeping only $20 a month. Standard $199 a year and Premium $399 a year include filing. Source
Hurdlr	Premium lists "live tax estimates and reminders". Source	See vendor site	Not listed	See vendor site
QuickBooks Solopreneur	See vendor site	See vendor site	Not listed	Free plan. Lite $20 and Simple Start $38 a month list, with an introductory discount. Source
FreelanceCFO free calculator	For one payment	Per payment	No	Free, no signup

Vendor details from their own pages, checked 11 November 2026. Prices in US dollars.

FreelanceCFO

Estimates this year's federal, state and self-employment tax from the income you import or enter, using 2026 IRS and SSA figures, and shows what to set aside each month and the next payment due. It sits next to your runway and unpaid invoices. It does not file, track receipts or log mileage.

Keeper

The better pick if finding write-offs and filing your return matter most. Its plans track expenses automatically from connected accounts, and its Standard and Premium plans include a return reviewed and signed by a tax pro. Premium adds paying quarterly taxes.

Hurdlr

Hurdlr describes itself as an automatic expense and mileage tracker for freelancers, and its Premium plan lists live tax estimates and reminders. The better pick if mileage and expense tracking are your main job.

QuickBooks Solopreneur

The better pick if you want full bookkeeping, receipts, mileage and invoices clients can pay online in one place. It has a free plan with limits. Check its page for how it handles quarterly estimates.

The free option

For one payment, the tax set-aside calculator gives the share to put aside, in percent and dollars, with no account. For the quarter, use the quarterly tax calculator. Both are estimates that cite the IRS and SSA. The set-aside guide explains the method.

Try FreelanceCFO free: tax set-aside, runway and who owes you in one place. No credit card.

Start free

Sources

Checked on 11 November 2026. Prices and features change, so follow the link before you rely on any of them.