Individuals involved in crypto activities like mining, NFT trading, or realizing capital gains must pay quarterly taxes if they expect to owe at least $1,000 in 2025 (for taxes filed in 2026). IRS Form 1040-ES helps calculate these payments—especially if your crypto-related income is self-employment income.
Calculate your crypto gains with our free crypto profit calculator.
Quarterly estimated tax deadlines for 2025 (taxes filed in 2026)
Late or insufficient payments can result in penalties and interest. However, the safe harbor rule allows for some flexibility if you meet IRS guidelines.
Use our free crypto tax calculator.
2025 disaster area estimated tax payment postponements
LA County wildfire relief (October 15, 2025, extension)
Per CA-2025-01 and IR-2025-10, the IRS has postponed all estimated tax payments and 2024 return deadlines to October 15, 2025, for affected taxpayers in Los Angeles. This includes:
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2024 income tax returns (normally due April 15, 2025)
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2024 estimated quarterly tax payments (April 15, June 17, September 16, and January 15 deadlines)
Affected taxpayers will not incur penalties or interest if payments are made by October 15, 2025.
Other disaster declarations
For the latest IRS guidance on disaster-related tax relief, visit the IRS Disaster Relief page.
Who needs to pay estimated quarterly taxes for crypto?
The IRS requires quarterly estimated tax payments if:
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After accounting for withholding and refundable credits, you expect to owe at least $1,000 in tax for the current year.
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Your withholding and credits will be less than the smaller of:
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90% of your total 2025 tax liability, or
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100% of your 2024 tax liability (if it covered 12 months).
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Crypto taxpayers who typically owe quarterly taxes include:
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Miners earning block rewards
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Investors earning interest, staking rewards, or airdrops
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NFT artists, dealers, or gamers earning crypto income
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Traders with short-term or long-term capital gains
If you’re unsure, consult a crypto tax professional.
How to calculate estimated quarterly taxes for crypto
Use IRS Form 1040-ES to determine how much you need to pay each quarter. If your crypto income includes self-employment earnings (e.g., mining, NFT sales, consulting), you must also calculate self-employment tax (15.3%) for Social Security and Medicare.
Since crypto income can be unpredictable, many investors need to adjust estimated tax payments mid-year if their earnings fluctuate significantly.
Key calculation tip: If your income changes significantly, you can modify your estimated tax payments each quarter instead of paying equal amounts.
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What is the “safe harbor rule”?
The safe harbor rule protects taxpayers from underpayment penalties if they pay enough throughout the year.
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If income is $150,000 or less: You won’t face penalties if you pay at least 90% of your current year’s tax liability or 100% of last year’s tax liability.
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If income is more than $150,000: You must pay at least 110% of your last year’s tax liability or 100% of your current year’s tax.
Note: Even if you meet safe harbor guidelines, late-payment interest still applies if you miss a deadline.
When are quarterly payments due?
For 2025 (taxes filed in 2026), estimated tax deadlines are:
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April 15, 2025 – Covers income from January 1 to March 31
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June 16, 2025 – Covers income from April 1 to May 31 (adjusted since June 15 is a Sunday)
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September 15, 2025 – Covers income from June 1 to August 31
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January 15, 2026 – Covers income from September 1 to December 31
Taxpayers affected by 2024 California wildfires have until October 15, 2025, to pay their estimated taxes.
You can make payments:
If I’ve paid quarterly taxes, what do I report on my annual taxes?
Even if you pay quarterly estimated taxes, you must still file an annual tax return.
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On Form 1040, report the total amount of estimated tax payments you made.
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These payments will reduce your final tax liability when filing.
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If you overpaid, you may be eligible for a refund.