Quarterly Estimated Taxes for Salon Owners
Self-employed salon owners pay taxes four times a year, not once. Here's everything you need to know — what you owe, when to pay, and how to calculate it.
Why Do Salon Owners Pay Taxes Quarterly?
The US tax system is "pay as you go." For employees, employers withhold taxes from every paycheck automatically. But when you're self-employed — as a booth renter, suite owner, or independent stylist — no one withholds taxes for you.
So the IRS requires you to estimate your tax liability and pay it in four installments throughout the year. These are called quarterly estimated tax payments.
What Happens If You Don't Pay Quarterly?
The underpayment interest rate changes quarterly, and the amount depends on how much you underpaid and for how long. Use the current IRS Form 2210 guidance or ask a tax professional about your situation.
The good news: quarterly payments don't have to be exact. You avoid the penalty as long as you pay enough — more on that below.
2026 Quarterly Estimated Tax Due Dates
The dates below come from the 2026 IRS Form 1040-ES. When a deadline falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the due date generally moves to the next business day.
Mark these on your calendar. Missing a deadline means a penalty, even if you catch up later.
Income Period
January 1 – March 31
Payment Due
April 15
Income Period
April 1 – May 31
Payment Due
June 15
Income Period
June 1 – August 31
Payment Due
September 15
Income Period
September 1 – December 31
Payment Due
January 15 (next year)
Note: If a due date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day. Always verify the current year's dates at irs.gov.
How to Calculate Quarterly Estimated Taxes
Your estimated payment can cover two taxes: self-employment tax (a 15.3% rate generally applied to 92.35% of net profit under the regular method) and federal income tax (based on your taxable income and filing situation). Here's a practical approach:
Method 1: The 25–30% Rule of Thumb
Set aside 25–30% of your net profit (income minus expenses) each quarter. For most solo salon owners in the 12–22% income tax bracket, this covers both SE tax and federal income tax with a reasonable buffer.
Example
Method 2: The Safe Harbor Method
To guarantee no underpayment penalty, you can pay 100% of last year's total tax liability spread across four equal quarterly payments (110% if your adjusted gross income exceeded $150,000 last year).
Example: If you paid $8,000 in total taxes last year, pay $2,000 per quarter. This is safe regardless of how much more (or less) you earn this year.
Method 3: Let Your Bookkeeping App Calculate It
The most accurate approach: use software that tracks your actual income and expenses in real time and calculates the estimated payment you owe each quarter. This is exactly what Salon Accounting's tax calculation engine does.
How to Pay Quarterly Estimated Taxes
The IRS makes it straightforward. The easiest options for salon owners:
IRS Direct Pay (free)
Pay directly from your bank account at irs.gov/payments. No fees, no account required. Select "Estimated Tax" as the payment type and choose the correct tax year.
EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System)
Free government system for scheduling future payments. Good for salon owners who want to set a recurring payment schedule. Enrollment takes a few days.
IRS2Go Mobile App
Make payments directly from your phone using IRS Direct Pay. Fast and convenient — especially if you get a payment reminder from your bookkeeping app and want to pay immediately.
Mail a check (Form 1040-ES)
You can still mail a check with the 1040-ES payment voucher. Make it payable to "United States Treasury." Not recommended — slow and provides no confirmation.
Don't Forget State Taxes
Most states with income tax also require quarterly estimated payments. Check your state's revenue department website — the due dates and payment methods vary by state but often mirror the federal schedule.
Never Miss a Quarterly Payment Again
Salon Accounting's automatic quarterly tax calculations estimate your payment after each quarter based on your real income and expenses — and send you a reminder when it's due. Plans from $7.99/mo.
14-day free trial · No credit card required