Texas Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments for Freelancers
Everything self-employed workers in Texas need to know about estimated quarterly tax payments in 2026.
Texas Tax at a Glance
Texas has no state income tax, which means freelancers and self-employed workers only need to make federal estimated payments. This significantly simplifies quarterly tax obligations and reduces the total amount you owe each quarter. However, Texas does have a franchise tax (also called the margins tax) that applies to businesses with total revenue exceeding $2.47 million, so most solo freelancers are exempt. Your quarterly estimated payments to the IRS will cover federal income tax and self-employment tax only.
Calculating Your Texas Quarterly Payments
Your total quarterly estimated payment includes federal income tax, self-employment tax (15.3% on 92.35% of net SE income), and no state income tax since Texas does not levy one. Use the TaxCadence calculator with Texas selected to get your exact quarterly amounts broken down by federal and state.
2026 Due Dates
Estimated tax payments for Texas follow the federal schedule: Q1 on April 15, Q2 on June 16, Q3 on September 15, and Q4 on January 15 of the following year. Mark these dates to avoid underpayment penalties.
Source: Texas Comptroller
Tax rates shown are as of January 2026. Rates and brackets may change due to new legislation. Verify current rates with your state's tax authority. TaxCadence provides estimates for planning purposes only and is not a substitute for professional tax advice.