Estimated Tax Due Dates 2026 for DoorDash and Uber Drivers
The 2026 estimated tax due dates are April 15, June 15 and September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027. DoorDash and Uber drivers who expect to owe $1,000 or more should pay on each date. You avoid penalties by paying at least 90% of your 2026 tax or 100% of your 2025 tax (110% above $150,000 of income).
Estimated tax due dates 2026: the four quarterly deadlines
| Payment | Covers income earned | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | January 1 to March 31, 2026 | April 15, 2026 |
| Q2 | April 1 to May 31, 2026 | June 15, 2026 |
| Q3 | June 1 to August 31, 2026 | September 15, 2026 |
| Q4 | September 1 to December 31, 2026 | January 15, 2027 |
If a due date falls on a weekend or holiday, you can pay the next business day.
Do DoorDash and Uber drivers pay quarterly taxes?
Yes, usually. No one withholds tax from gig pay, and the IRS expects tax to be paid as you earn. If you expect to owe $1,000 or more for the year after withholding and credits, make estimated payments on Form 1040-ES.
How much to pay each quarter
- Estimate your 2026 tax with the quarterly tax calculator.
- Pick the safe harbor that’s lower: 90% of this year’s tax or 100% of last year’s (110% if your 2025 income was over $150,000).
- Subtract what you’ve already paid and split the rest across the remaining dates.
A simple habit: move your weekly set-aside amount from every payout into a separate savings account. The main calculator shows it per $100 and per week.
Safe harbor: how to avoid the penalty
Your payments during the year must add up to at least the smaller of 90% of your 2026 tax or 100% of your 2025 tax (110% if your 2025 adjusted gross income was over $150,000).
How to pay
IRS Direct Pay, your IRS Online Account or EFTPS. Choose estimated tax, Form 1040-ES, for 2026. Most states have their own payment page and schedule; California, for example, asks for 30%, 40%, 0% and 30%.
When are estimated taxes due in 2026?
April 15, June 15 and September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027.
Do I have to pay quarterly taxes on DoorDash income?
If you expect to owe $1,000 or more for the year after withholding and credits, yes.
What happens if I miss a quarterly payment?
The IRS charges an underpayment penalty that grows with time. Paying late is better than not paying.
Can I pay all my estimated tax at once?
Yes, but payments are credited to the quarter you make them, so paying early is fine and paying late can still bring a penalty for earlier quarters.