Quarterly Estimated Taxes

UChicagoGRAD is not permitted to give individual tax advice to graduate students, but you can watch “Quarterly Estimated Taxes, 2025” and send follow-up questions to gradhelp@uchicago.edu

• If you are a resident for tax purposes (includes US citizens and permanent residents) federal taxes are not withheld by the University from any stipend income. Depending on the amount of income received, you may have and federal and state estimated tax obligation. Calculations must be made using form 1040-ES (federal) and form IL-1040-ES (state).
• If you are a US citizen / permanent resident or a resident for tax purposes, federal taxes are not withheld by the University from fellowship stipend income. You will need to use form 1040-ES and IL-1040-ES to calculate federal and state estimated tax obligations.

Estimated tax obligations may be triggered by any income that is considered taxable but not subject to tax withholding. For example, students do not need to pay estimate taxes on any wage-income from the university because federal and state taxes are already withheld from this kind of pay. However, the university does not withhold federal taxes from most stipends and cannot withhold any state taxes. Individual students are ultimately responsible for making appropriate calculations and determining an estimated tax obligation.

When should quarterly estimated taxes be paid?

If you have determined that you have an obligation to pay quarterly estimated taxes, you should adhere to the following deadlines. These dates are set but the IRS but are followed by the Illinois Department of Revenue and by other revenue agencies in different states.

If you are unsure of your tax residency status or what is or is not being withheld from your fellowship stipend income, please email gradhelp@uchicago.edu