Quarterly Taxes 101: What Georgia Small Business Owners Need to Know

If you're a small business owner in Georgia — especially around Brunswick, St. Simons, or Darien — you may have heard the term "quarterly taxes" thrown around. But what exactly are they? Who has to pay them? And what happens if you don’t?
Quarterly taxes, officially called estimated tax payments, are how the IRS and Georgia Department of Revenue collect income tax from self-employed individuals, freelancers, and small business owners throughout the year. If you don’t have taxes automatically withheld from a paycheck, the government expects you to make payments on your own — four times per year.
The due dates are usually:
- April 15 (for income earned Jan–Mar)
- June 15 (for income earned Apr–May)
- September 15 (for income earned Jun–Aug)
- January 15 (of the following year, for income earned Sep–Dec)
These deadlines can shift slightly if they fall on a weekend or holiday, so it’s always good to double-check each year. Missing a payment can lead to penalties and interest, even if you file your annual return on time.
But how do you know if you need to pay quarterly taxes? A good rule of thumb is this: if you expect to owe more than $1,000 in taxes for the year (after subtracting withholdings and credits), the IRS and the state of Georgia likely expect you to pay estimated taxes. This includes sole proprietors, LLCs, freelancers, and even some side hustlers.
Figuring out how much to pay isn’t always simple, which is where bookkeeping becomes essential. A bookkeeper like Tina Barnes at Blue Oceans Bookkeeping helps track your income and expenses accurately throughout the year. With updated books, you or your tax preparer can calculate quarterly payments based on real financial data — not just guesses.
Staying on top of quarterly taxes has several benefits. It prevents you from facing a giant surprise bill in April, it helps avoid underpayment penalties, and it gives you a clearer picture of your cash flow throughout the year. Plus, if you’re making steady payments, tax time becomes a lot less stressful.
Many business owners in Brunswick don’t realize they’re supposed to be making these payments until they’ve already missed a few. Others overpay because they aren’t sure what deductions they qualify for. Regular, professional bookkeeping solves both problems. By keeping your books clean and your income up-to-date, Tina can help you stay compliant and keep more of your hard-earned money.
If quarterly taxes are still a mystery to you, or if you’ve been hit with penalties in the past, now is the time to get proactive. Blue Oceans Bookkeeping is here to help small business owners in Coastal Georgia stay organized, save money, and eliminate stress when it comes to taxes.
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www.blueoceansbookkeeping.com
📍 Serving Brunswick, St. Simons, Darien, and surrounding communities
Let’s make tax season feel like just another day — not a deadline to dread.


