The short answer
If you'll owe $1,000 or more in federal tax after withholding and credits, you generally need to make quarterly estimated payments. North Carolina uses the same $1,000 threshold. For 2027 the payments are due April 15, June 15 and September 15, 2027, and January 18, 2028.
Who needs to pay
You generally need to make federal estimated payments if both of these apply:
- 1.You expect to owe at least $1,000 after subtracting withholding and refundable credits, and
- 2.Your withholding and refundable credits will be less than the smaller of:
- 90% of the tax on this year's return, or
- 100% of the tax on last year's return (110% if last year's adjusted gross income was over $150,000, or $75,000 if married filing separately).
For North Carolina, you need to pay estimated tax if the tax on your return, after North Carolina withholding and credits, will be $1,000 or more.
This usually applies to self-employed people, small business owners, landlords, retirees with little withholding, and anyone with large investment income.
2027 due dates
| Payment | Due |
|---|---|
| 1st | DueThursday, April 15, 2027 |
| 2nd | DueTuesday, June 15, 2027 |
| 3rd | DueWednesday, September 15, 2027 |
| 4th | DueTuesday, January 18, 2028 (January 15 is a Saturday and January 17 is a federal holiday) |
North Carolina's due dates are the same. If you file your North Carolina return by January 31 and pay the full balance, you don't need to make the January North Carolina payment.
Not sure how much to pay? We'll work out your quarterly amounts so there are no surprises in April.
Related service: Tax Planning in Shelby
How to pay
- Federal: pay online through your IRS online account, IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS, or mail a check with a Form 1040-ES voucher. Your online account, which you sign in to with ID.me, also shows the estimated payments you've already made. → Your IRS Online Account
- North Carolina: pay online on the NCDOR website, or mail your payment with Form NC-40.
What if you pay late or too little?
Both the IRS and North Carolina can charge an underpayment penalty when estimated payments are late or short. Paying on time, and adjusting when your income changes, keeps penalties down.
Tips for small business owners
- Set aside a share of every payment you receive in a separate account.
- Keep your books current, so your quarterly estimate is based on real numbers.
- If you also have a W-2 job, increasing your withholding can reduce or replace estimated payments.
Official sources
This guide is general information, not advice for your situation. Tax rules change; check with us or the official source before acting.