Quarterly Estimated Tax Tracker: Self-Employed Income, Expenses & Mileage Log (Excel + Google Sheets)

The Self-Employed Quarterly Tax Tracker is a spreadsheet template for Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets that logs your business income, expenses and mileage and works out what to set aside and pay for each IRS estimated-tax period. It's for US freelancers, 1099 contractors, consultants, creators and side-business owners who pay quarterly estimated taxes.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Self-Employed-Quarterly-Tax-Tracker_BLANK.xlsx: ready for your numbers
• Self-Employed-Quarterly-Tax-Tracker_EXAMPLE.xlsx: a sample freelance business so you can see how it works
• Download guide (PDF) with step-by-step Excel and Google Sheets setup

8 TABS

Start Here (built-in quick-start notes) · Setup · Income Log · Expense Log · Mileage Log · Quarterly Taxes · Schedule C Summary · Dashboard

Room for 500 income entries, 500 expenses, 500 trips and 40 payments per file. Dropdown menus, locked formula cells (no password) and frozen headers.

KEY FEATURES

• IRS quarterly deadlines built in: the 4 payment periods (Jan-Mar, Apr-May, Jun-Aug, Sep-Dec) with due dates, rolled past weekends
• Set-aside percentage: federal + state % applied to each period's net profit, or switch to the safe-harbor method (100% / 110% of last year's tax)
• Payment log: record federal and state payments; each quarter shows Paid, Due in X days or OVERDUE
• Expense log with business-use % (phone, internet), meals counted at 50% and a missing-receipt counter
• Mileage log: round trips double automatically and the IRS rate switches on its change date (2026 rates pre-filled: $0.725, then $0.76 from Jul 1)
• Schedule C summary: deductions by quarter grouped by typical Schedule C line, plus simplified home office
• Dashboard: next deadline, income, deductions, net profit, tax paid and 4 charts

HOW IT WORKS

1. Buy and download instantly: your download page opens right after checkout, and the link is also emailed to you.
2. On a computer, open the BLANK file in Microsoft Excel, or upload it to Google Drive and open it with Google Sheets (the PDF guide shows both).
3. Start on the Start Here tab and type your numbers into the blue cells. The grey formula cells, summaries and dashboard charts update automatically.
4. Open the EXAMPLE file any time to see how a filled-in version looks.

COMPATIBILITY

• ✔ Microsoft Excel (Windows and Mac desktop, Microsoft 365)
• ✔ Google Sheets (free): upload the .xlsx to Google Drive, then Open with Google Sheets. Easy to share with your bookkeeper.
• ✘ Not designed for Apple Numbers or phone screens. A computer is recommended.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Does it work in Excel and Google Sheets?

A: Yes. It works in Microsoft Excel (Windows or Mac desktop, or Microsoft 365) and in Google Sheets, which is free with a Google account. It isn't designed for Apple Numbers.

Q: Should I use Google Sheets or Excel?

A: Either works: the formulas, dropdowns and charts work in both. Choose Excel if you want to keep the file on your computer. Choose Google Sheets if you want a free, browser-based option. It's also an easy way to share the file with your accountant. For Google Sheets, upload the .xlsx file to Google Drive, right-click it and choose Open with > Google Sheets, then File > Save as Google Sheets.

Q: Can I use it on my phone or tablet?

A: It's designed for a computer screen, not a phone. Phones often can't open .xlsx downloads, so download and set it up on a computer. Once it's saved as a Google Sheet, you can open it in the Google Sheets mobile app to check your numbers, but a computer is best for setup and data entry.

Q: How do I download it?

A: Right after checkout your download page opens, and the download link is also emailed to you. Download all the files on a computer, then follow the PDF guide to open the BLANK file in Excel or Google Sheets.

Q: Can I customize it?

A: Yes. Enter your expense categories, deductible percentages, set-aside percentages and mileage rates in the blue cells on the Setup tab and the rest of the workbook updates. Formula cells are locked without a password so they can't be overwritten by accident. To change formulas or the layout, unprotect the tab: Review > Unprotect Sheet in Excel, or Data > Protect sheets and ranges in Google Sheets.

Q: Can I get a refund?

A: Yes, within 14 days of purchase, in two cases: a file has a problem I can't fix, or you bought the same product twice by mistake. Email todorgan@gmail.com with your order details.

GOOD TO KNOW

• This is a digital product. Nothing will be shipped.
• A record-keeping tool, not tax advice. Set-aside percentages are estimates; confirm with your tax professional.
• US-focused: IRS payment periods, Schedule C lines and IRS mileage rates.
• For personal use. Please don't share or resell the files.
• Questions or a problem with a file? Email todorgan@gmail.com.

AI disclosure: this template was designed with the help of AI tools. The formulas, layout and example data were reviewed and tested before release.