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How to Pay Quarterly Estimated Taxes (Federal & Ohio)

Use this guide to make or schedule estimated tax payments online or by mail with a printed voucher.

Last updated: October 30, 2025

Before You Pay (Quick Checklist)

  • Know your amount for this quarter (ask us if you’re unsure about the target).
  • Select the correct tax year (e.g., paying toward the 2025 tax year).
  • For the IRS, choose “Estimated Tax (1040-ES)” when asked for the payment reason.
  • Plan your own record-keeping (see Keep Your Records).

Typical due dates: April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year (moves to the next business day if on a weekend/holiday).

Federal (IRS) — Online Options

Option A: IRS Direct Pay (free ACH from your bank)

  1. Visit IRS Direct Pay.
  2. Select Make a Payment → Reason: Estimated Tax → Apply Payment To: 1040-ES.
  3. Enter identity info, bank routing/account numbers, the amount, and the tax year.
  4. (Optional) Schedule a future payment.

Option B: Your IRS Online Account

  1. Go to IRS Online Account and sign in (or verify identity).
  2. Choose Make a Payment → Estimated Tax and follow the prompts (bank account, card, or digital wallet).

Option C: EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System)

  1. Visit eftps.gov and log in.
  2. Select Make a Payment → Estimated Taxes. Helpful if you like to schedule multiple payments in advance.

Tip: For all online IRS payments, choose Estimated Tax / 1040-ES and the correct tax year. You do not need to pick a specific quarter.

Federal (IRS) — Pay by Mail (Voucher + Check)

  1. Print the current-year Form 1040-ES voucher from irs.gov.
  2. Complete the voucher (name, address, SSN, tax year, and payment amount).
  3. Write your check payable to United States Treasury (memo example: “2025 1040-ES” + your SSN).
  4. Mail to the address listed in the voucher instructions (address varies by state and whether a payment is enclosed).

Ohio — Online Options (Individual & School District)

Option A: Guest Payment (no login)

  1. Go to Ohio: Pay Online → Pay Individual and School District Income Taxes.
  2. Choose Estimated Payment, select the tax year, and enter your information.
  3. Pay by bank account (ACH) or card.

Option B: Ohio Online Services Account

  1. From the same page, choose Sign In/Create Account.
  2. Pay and review your Ohio payment history in your account. If your school district has an income tax, you can also make School District estimated payments.

Note: Many Ohio counties have School District Income Tax. If yours does, make both state and school-district estimated payments when applicable.

Ohio — Pay by Mail (Voucher + Check)

  1. Print the current-year Ohio individual estimated tax voucher IT 1040ES from tax.ohio.gov.
  2. If applicable, also print school district vouchers SD 100ES.
  3. Complete the voucher(s) (name, address, SSN, tax year, and payment amount).
  4. Write your check payable to Ohio Treasurer of State (memo examples: “2025 IT 1040ES”; for SD payments, “SD 100ES” + your SD code if space allows).
  5. Mail to the address shown on the voucher (Ohio prints the correct P.O. Box on the form).

Keep Your Records

Maintain your own payment records so they’re ready for your next strategy or tax planning session:

  • Save the confirmation page or PDF after paying online.
  • Keep a simple log (digital or paper) with:
    • Payment date and amount
    • Payment type (IRS 1040-ES, Ohio IT 1040ES, or Ohio SD 100ES)
    • Tax year the payment applies to
    • Confirmation number (or check number, if mailed)
    • How you paid (Direct Pay, Online Account, EFTPS, Ohio Guest Payment, or check)
  • Reconcile against your bank/credit card statement.
  • Retain confirmations and your log with your tax documents for at least 3 years (many clients keep 7).

Common Questions & Answers

Which “reason for payment” do I choose for IRS estimated taxes?
Choose Estimated Tax and apply it to 1040-ES for the correct tax year.
Do I need to pick a specific quarter when I pay the IRS?
No. Pay toward the correct tax year; the IRS doesn’t require you to label a specific quarter.
What are the standard quarterly due dates?
April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year (moves to the next business day if on a weekend/holiday).
Can I schedule future payments?
Yes. IRS Direct Pay, IRS Online Account, and EFTPS allow scheduling. Ohio’s online system also supports future-dated payments in many cases.
How much should I pay to avoid penalties?
“Safe harbor” rules typically require paying the lesser of: (1) 90% of the current year’s tax, or (2) 100% of last year’s tax (110% if your AGI exceeded certain thresholds). Ask us to help confirm your target.
What if my income changes during the year?
You can adjust your next estimated payment or change withholding. We can help you update projections before the next deadline.
Does Ohio require school district payments?
Some Ohio school districts impose an income tax. If yours does, pay both Ohio IT 1040ES and, if applicable, SD 100ES. See tax.ohio.gov for details.
Where do I find the mailing address for paper vouchers?
Use the address listed on the current-year voucher instructions:
How do I document my payments?
Save online confirmations as PDFs, keep a simple log with date, amount, payment type, tax year, confirmation/check number, and payment method, and reconcile to your statements. Retain for at least 3 years (many keep 7).
What if I miss a deadline?
Pay as soon as possible—interest/penalties generally accrue until paid. We can help adjust remaining payments to stay on track.
I’m self-employed or have uneven income—any tips?
Consider higher payments in high-income quarters, coordinate with withholding, and revisit projections before each due date.

Need help deciding the amount? We can estimate safe-harbor amounts, coordinate with withholdings, and time payments to match your cash flow. Reach out before you pay if you’d like a quick check.