There are lots of ways a small business can reduce their tax liability each year. Some common options include choosing the correct entity for your business, being smart about tax elections, and keeping an eye on your Adjusted Gross Income. Working with an accountant or financial advisor is the best bet to ensure small businesses reduce their tax burden and maximize their deductions.

If you’re a freelancer or contractor, or you own and operate a small business, the IRS requires that you pay Estimated Taxes four times a year. You can either calculate your payment by making a prediction of what you’ll make in the year, or by tallying the exact amount you made in the quarter.

Quarterly estimated tax deadlines each year fall on:

• April 15th
• June 15th
• September 15th
• January 15th of the following year.

Learn more about quarterly estimated taxes.

Some small businesses can receive a refund from the IRS depending on their entity election. For example, many businesses choose pass-through taxation, where the business earnings are passed to the individual owner’s income tax return. In that case, the owner is required to pay estimated taxes to the IRS and would likely not receive a refund.