When are quarterly estimated taxes due?

Roughly April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15 — the IRS expects self-employed creators to prepay across the year, not settle once in April.

What happens if a creator misses quarterly payments?

Underpayment penalties accrue, effectively an interest charge that compounds until paid — on top of the tax itself.

How much should creators pay quarterly?

Enough to cover your projected liability or meet the safe harbor (generally 100–110% of last year's tax); a reserve of 25–35% of each payout typically funds it comfortably.

Process explained

Quarterly Estimated Taxes for Creators: Dates, Math and Penalties

Midas — the financial team behind the creators · Reviewed for educational accuracy

The IRS doesn't wait for April. Self-employed creators are expected to prepay tax quarterly — roughly mid-April, mid-June, mid-September and mid-January — and underpaying triggers penalties that compound daily.

Why creators get burned

Creator income is lumpy; the payment schedule isn't. A viral quarter followed by a quiet one leaves you either underpaid (penalties) or overpaid (your cash idling with the IRS for a year).

The two-part fix

The reserve: move 25–35% of every payout into a separate account the day it lands. The quarterly payment becomes a transfer, not a scramble.
Recalibration: recalculate each quarter's estimate as income moves and strategies land. When your S-corp election or retirement contributions cut your projected bill, your very next quarterly payment drops — money back in your pocket mid-year, not next April.

Safe harbors exist

Paying 100–110% of last year's tax generally shields you from penalties even in a blow-up year — one of several timing decisions worth making deliberately with a professional.

Want your actual number? The Midas Audit reviews your last two years and puts it in writing — what you overpaid, what's recoverable, what's available going forward. If it doesn't show at least twice our fee in recoverable savings, we refund it.

See if you qualify →