Indiana Estimated Tax Payments (2026)

Do you have to pay estimated taxes in Indiana?

Yes. If you're self-employed in Indiana and expect to owe $1,000 or more in Indiana state and county income tax for 2026 after withholding, you must make quarterly estimated payments to the Indiana Department of Revenue. This is separate from your federal payments. Indiana taxes income at a flat 2.95%.

When are Indiana estimated taxes due in 2026?

Indiana's 2026 quarterly payments are due April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15, in four equal installments, on the same calendar as your federal payments.

• Q1, April 15, 2026

• Q2, June 15, 2026

• Q3, September 15, 2026

• Q4, January 15, 2027

How much should you set aside for Indiana estimated taxes?

Plan to set aside 25% to 30% of your net self-employment profit to cover federal and Indiana taxes combined, then confirm the exact amount with the calculator above. On $50,000 of net self-employment profit, federal self-employment tax alone is about $7,065 (15.3% on 92.35% of your earnings). On top of that you'll owe federal income tax and Indiana income tax, about $1,475 at the flat 2.95% rate before deductions, plus county income tax of 0.5% to 3%.

How do you avoid an Indiana underpayment penalty?

To avoid an Indiana underpayment penalty, pay the smaller of 90% of your 2026 Indiana tax or 100% of your 2025 tax, or 110% of last year's tax if your prior-year AGI topped $150,000, in four on-time installments. Paying the full amount late doesn't help; each installment has to be on time. You can estimate a federal underpayment penalty here.

What deductions lower your Indiana estimated taxes?

Because estimated taxes are based on your net profit, every business write-off you claim lowers what you owe each quarter. Common deductions for 1099 workers, reported on Schedule C, include the home-office deduction, car mileage, phone and internet, software, and supplies. Like the IRS, Indiana lets you deduct half of your self-employment tax. The federal Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction can remove up to 20% of your qualified business income from your federal taxes, but Indiana doesn’t allow it, so it doesn’t lower your Indiana tax.

Keeper's 1099 tax calculator estimates your bill after deductions, and our write-off guides list the deductions for your line of work.

Do self-employed people in Indiana owe county income tax too?

Yes. All 92 Indiana counties charge an income tax, from 0.5% to 3% for 2026 (2.02% in Marion County), and you pay it on your Indiana return.

Note: Figures are current for the 2026 tax year and are for planning, not tax advice. Confirm the details with the Indiana Department of Revenue before you file.

How to file quarterly taxes in Indiana

Filing quarterly in Indiana means two separate payments each period: one to the IRS for federal tax, and one to the Indiana Department of Revenue for your state taxes. Here’s how to do it.

1. Confirm you need to pay. You owe estimated payments when tax isn’t withheld from enough of your income — 1099 or freelance work, investment income, or other untaxed income. Federal and Indiana run separate tests: the state generally requires estimated payments if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in Indiana tax after withholding and credits, subject to its safe-harbor rules.
2. Calculate your federal estimate. Use the Form 1040-ES worksheet (or tax software). Estimate your full-year income, add your federal income tax and self-employment tax, subtract anything already withheld from a paycheck, and split the rest across the year. The estimate at the top of this page gives you a starting number.
3. Calculate your Indiana estimate separately. Work out your Indiana amount on its own using Form ES-40. Don’t just send part of your federal payment to the state — the Indiana calculation is separate, based on your Indiana income tax, credits, and any Indiana withholding.
4. Pay the IRS. Pay through IRS Direct Pay (or EFTPS) and choose the estimated tax / Form 1040-ES option. Select tax year 2026 and save the confirmation number. This money counts only toward your federal taxes.
5. Pay Indiana separately. Make a second payment to INTIME and select the Form ES-40 estimated payment for 2026. Save that confirmation too. This money counts only toward your Indiana taxes.
6. Repeat on each deadline. For 2026, federal estimated payments are due April 15, 2026, June 15, 2026, September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027. Indiana uses those same four dates.

Steps reflect 2026 rules and are for planning, not tax advice.