📅 September 15, 2025 Deadline: Estimated Tax Payments for the Self-Employed

What Freelancers, Creators & Small Business Owners Need to Know

If you’re self-employed, a freelancer, or run a small business, there’s an important tax deadline approaching:
💡 September 15, 2025 – the third quarterly estimated tax payment due date.

At Velin & Associates, Inc., we work with a wide range of professionals — from YouTubers, Shopify store owners, and Amazon sellers, to dentists, TikTokers, and creative entrepreneurs. Many of them share one question:
“Do I really have to make estimated tax payments?”
The answer is yes — and doing so correctly can help you avoid penalties and reduce financial stress come tax season.

What Are Estimated Tax Payments?

Estimated taxes are quarterly payments made to the IRS and state tax agencies to cover your income tax and self-employment tax liability as you earn income throughout the year.

If you don’t have taxes withheld from a paycheck (like employees do), the IRS expects you to pay as you go — and they set specific due dates:

Estimated Tax Payment Deadlines for 2025:

• April 15 – Q1 (Jan–Mar income)
• June 17 – Q2 (Apr–May income)
• September 15 – Q3 (June–Aug income)
• January 15, 2026 – Q4 (Sept–Dec income)

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

Missing the September 15 deadline can lead to:

• Underpayment penalties
• Accrued interest
• A larger tax bill in April (with fewer options to reduce it)

Even if you plan to pay your full taxes later, the IRS may still charge penalties for not making timely quarterly payments.

Who Needs to Pay?

You likely need to make estimated payments if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal income tax after subtracting any withholding or credits.

This includes:

• Self-employed individuals and sole proprietors
• S-Corp owners who receive distributions
• Creators and influencers earning 1099 income
• Shopify, Amazon, or e-commerce sellers
• Dentists and medical professionals running their own practice
• Freelancers and consultants

How to Calculate What You Owe

You can pay either:

• 90% of your current year’s tax liability
• 100% (or 110%) of your prior year’s total tax to avoid penalties

A CPA can help project your 2025 income, business expenses, and deductions to calculate the most accurate and beneficial amount to pay.

Pro Tips from Velin & Associates, Inc.

• Don’t guess. Overpaying hurts your cash flow, and underpaying triggers penalties. Let us run the numbers.
• Use separate accounts for tax savings and business operations to stay organized.
• Document your payments (IRS Form 1040-ES and California FTB vouchers).
• Combine tax planning with bookkeeping to ensure you’re not missing deductions that could lower your estimate.

Who We Help

Our firm specializes in helping:

• YouTubers and TikTokers
• Amazon and Shopify sellers
• Filmmakers and creators
• Doctors, dentists, and medical practices
• Tradespeople and small business owners

Whether you’re making six figures on social media or running a local dental practice, your estimated payments matter — and so does getting them right.

Avoid Surprise Tax Bills — Plan Now

The September 15, 2025 deadline is your chance to stay ahead of your taxes and avoid costly penalties later. Don’t wait until January — let’s review your income, adjust your estimate, and keep you audit-ready.

Velin & Associates, Inc.

8159 Santa Monica Blvd STE 198/200
West Hollywood, CA 90046
📞 323-902-1000
📧 dmitriy@losangelescpa.org
🌐 www.losangelescpa.org