So if you're just starting as an independent contractor in 2025, it sounds like your 2024 taxes do not include self-employment. In this case I suggest just making a good faith estimate as to what your 2025 income will be. Later in the process of completing your tax return, you'll have the opportunity to enter this information into Turbo Tax and generate estimated tax payment vouchers. If you pay too much, you'll get a refund next year. If you don't pay enough, you'll owe at tax time next year and have to pay when you file your 2025 tax return next year. Just save up a lot of extra money all year long (we set aside 35% of our self-employment income just in case) so that you're ready to pay up if you still owe. Either way, you'll have a better idea of what to estimate for 2026 if you're still self-employed at that time.
