What Every Small Business Owner Should Know About Quarterly Tax Payments
Once tax season wraps up, most business owners fall into one of three categories:
You’ve filed and crossed it off your list (go you!).
You filed an extension and are feeling a bit of relief... for now.
Or you’re still avoiding your inbox and panicking every time someone says the word “IRS.”
If you’re in that third group—please know you’re not alone. Tax overwhelm is incredibly common, especially when you're trying to do everything in your business yourself. And if you're still scrambling to get things together, this is a good time to reach out to a trusted tax professional or bookkeeper who can help you get back on track.
(Need a referral to a reliable tax preparer? I've got a vetted list of great people I can connect you with!)
But even if you're in one of the "on-time" camps—whether you filed in April or requested an extension—there’s one deadline you really don’t want to miss:
June 17th — The Q2 Estimated Tax Deadline
That’s right—just two months after your April tax payment, the IRS expects you to make your second quarterly payment for the year. It always sneaks up, and it’s easy to overlook.
But here's the thing: missing a quarterly payment can lead to penalties and interest, even if you filed on time back in April. That’s why now—in May—is the perfect time to check in with your numbers and make sure you’re prepared.
Here’s what I recommend:
Take a look at your business income so far this year
Review what you paid (or didn’t pay) in Q1
Estimate your next tax payment based on year-to-date profits
Set aside the funds now, so June doesn’t hit your cash flow too hard
Don’t worry—you don’t have to figure this out alone. If the thought of calculating your estimated taxes makes your eyes glaze over, I’m here to help.
At Counting on Amy, I work with service-based business owners to stay organized, proactive, and tax-ready—not just in April, but all year long.
Whether you need help calculating your next payment, reviewing your cash flow, or simply getting your books cleaned up before tax season rolls around again—I’ve got your back.
Let’s make this the year you finally feel calm and confident about your taxes.
Book a free discovery call here and let’s get you set up for peace of mind in Q2 and beyond.
