California Estimated Tax Payments Calculator

2026 rules

Enter your expected income to see what to send California and the IRS each quarter.

Your numbers

Filing status

Self-employment or business profit

W-2 wages

Other income (interest, dividends, gains, rental)

California tax withheld from paychecks

Last year's California tax (total on your return)

Leave at 0 to use this year's estimate only.

Federal tax withheld

Last year's federal tax (Form 1040 line 24)

Result

California quarterly payment$814

Projected federal tax (incl. SE tax)$17,147
Projected California tax$3,013
California amount to pay in estimates$2,712
California payment 1 · Apr 15, 2026$814
California payment 2 · Jun 15, 2026$1,085
California payment 3 · Jan 15, 2027$814
Federal amount to pay in estimates$15,433
Federal payment · Apr 15, 2026$3,858
Federal payment · Jun 15, 2026$3,858
Federal payment · Sep 15, 2026$3,858
Federal payment · Jan 15, 2027$3,858
First payment, state and federal$4,672

California splits the year's estimate 30%, 40% and 30%. There is no September payment.

California at a glance

Due dates: Apr 15, 2026, Jun 15, 2026, Jan 15, 2027
Rates: California taxes income at 9 rates from 1% to 13.30%.

A 1% surtax applies to taxable income over $1,000,000.

California tax brackets for 2026

Single (taxable income)
Rate	Taxable income
1%	$0 – $11,456
2%	$11,456 – $27,157
4%	$27,157 – $42,861
6%	$42,861 – $59,498
8%	$59,498 – $75,197
9.30%	$75,197 – $384,109
10.30%	$384,109 – $460,927
11.30%	$460,927 – $768,213
12.30%	over $768,213

Married filing jointly
Rate	Taxable income
1%	$0 – $22,912
2%	$22,912 – $54,314
4%	$54,314 – $85,722
6%	$85,722 – $118,996
8%	$118,996 – $150,394
9.30%	$150,394 – $768,218
10.30%	$768,218 – $921,854
11.30%	$921,854 – $1,536,426
12.30%	over $1,536,426

Plus a 1% surtax on taxable income over $1,000,000.

Questions

When are California estimated tax payments due for 2026?

Apr 15, 2026, Jun 15, 2026, Jan 15, 2027. California splits the year's estimate 30%, 40% and 30%. There is no September payment.

How much do I need to pay to avoid a penalty?

This calculator uses the federal safe harbor: 90% of this year's tax, or 100% of last year's (110% if your AGI is over $150,000), less withholding. A few states use a different share of the current year's tax, so check the California estimated-tax instructions too.