How do I pay taxes owed on TurboTax?
If you're e-filing, choose Charge my credit card when we ask how you want to pay your federal taxes. If you're paper-filing, you won't see a credit/debit option, but you can do this instead: In TurboTax, select Pay by check when asked how you want to pay your taxes.
Pay some of the tax you owe
You can make a partial payment with TurboTax. In the File section, select I will mail a check. If you choose to pay with your bank account or credit card, TurboTax will charge the total tax due.
Your federal refund must be enough to cover your TurboTax fees. You must have a US address. You have to e-file. The name on the bank account needs to match the name on the tax return.
You can pay your bill directly through tax software or your tax preparer. There are also online, mobile, and mailing options, including IRS Direct Pay, EFTPS, debit or credit card, same-day wire, check, and cash.
To use the Pay With Your Refund option, your IRS refund amount must be sufficient to cover your prep fees, fees for any additional products and services, and applicable sales tax. When you get ready to file, we won't offer Pay With Your Refund if your IRS refund isn't enough to cover your total bill.
- Direct debit from your bank account,
- Payroll deduction from your employer,
- Payment by EFTPS,
- Payment by credit card or debit card via phone or Internet,
- Payment via check or money order,
- Payment with cash at a retail partner. For all accepted payment methods, see Payments.
You can apply for a payment plan using the Online Payment Agreement (OPA) Application or you may complete Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request and mail it in with your bill. You may also request an installment agreement over the phone by calling the phone number listed on your balance due notice.
If you find that you cannot pay the full amount by the filing deadline, you should file your return and pay as much as you can by the due date. To see if you qualify for an installment payment plan, attach a Form 9465, “Installment Agreement Request,” to the front of your tax return.
When filing your tax return the TurboTax program will let you know if you have taxes due or if you will be receiving a refund. If you wish to find out if you owe past taxes due.
Use Form 8888 to directly deposit your refund (or part of it) to one or more accounts at a bank or other financial institution (such as a mutual fund, brokerage firm, or credit union) in the United States. This form can also be used to buy up to $5,000 in paper series I savings bonds with your refund.
What is the best way to pay back taxes to IRS?
Direct Pay, available only on IRS.gov, is the fastest and easiest way to make a one-time payment without signing into an IRS Online Account. Direct Pay: Direct Pay is free and allows taxpayers to securely pay their federal taxes directly from their checking or savings account without any fees or preregistration.
| Tax debt | Minimum monthly payment |
|---|---|
| $10,000 or less | Sufficient amount to pay off your debt in less than 3 years |
| $10,000 to $25,000 | Total debt divided by 72 |
| $25,000 to $50,000 | Total debt divided by 72 |
| More than $50,000 | No set minimum |
The IRS offers a tax debt forgiveness program for taxpayers who meet certain qualifications. To be eligible, you must claim extreme financial hardship and have filed all previous tax returns. The program is available to certain people only, so contact us to find out if you qualify.
If you owe the IRS, your travel plans could be put on hold. In cases of seriously delinquent back taxes, the IRS has the legal authority to ask the State Department to deny your passport application or revoke your current passport. Don't let tax debt ruin your travel plans.
We accept credit, debit, and prepaid cards with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover logo. Like many other U.S. online merchants, we can only process cards with a U.S. billing address. A second option is to pay with your federal refund, also known as Pay With My Refund (charges may apply).
Getting help from Direct File customer support
If you need help while you're filing your return in Direct File, real-time live chat support from an IRS customer service representative will be available, with an option for a follow up phone call from an IRS assistor where needed.
Pay online, by phone or with a mobile device through any of the authorized payment processors. The processor charges a fee. The IRS doesn't receive any fees for these payments. Go to IRS.gov/payments for authorized card processors and phone numbers.
If you claimed 0 and still owe taxes, chances are you added “married” to your W4 form. When you claim 0 in allowances, it seems as if you are the only one who earns and that your spouse does not. Then, when both of you earn, and the amount reaches the 25% tax bracket, the amount of tax sent is not enough.
Make a payment today, or schedule a payment, without signing up for an IRS Online Account. Pay from your bank account, your Debit or Credit Card, or even with digital wallet.
Taxpayers should visit IRS.gov/payments to pay their federal taxes anytime throughout the year. Taxes must be paid by the original due date to avoid interest and penalty charges. The federal tax system operates on a pay-as-you-go basis.
What happens if you owe IRS taxes?
By law, the IRS may assess penalties to taxpayers for both failing to file a tax return and for failing to pay taxes they owe by the deadline. If you're not able to pay the tax you owe by your original filing due date, the balance is subject to interest and a monthly late payment penalty.
“The best strategy is breaking even, owing the IRS an amount you can easily pay, or getting a small refund,” Clare J. Fazackerley, CPA, CFP, told Finance Buzz. “You don't want to owe more than $1,000 because you'll have an underpayment penalty of 5% interest, which is more than you can make investing the money.
The IRS offers short-term-payment plans that allow you to pay what you owe over a period of 180 days or less. However, you will still face penalties and interest until you have paid your tax bill in full, so over time, the payment plan will cost you more than if you pay by the date your taxes are due.
Penalties and interest apply to taxes owed after April 18 and interest is charged on tax and penalties until the balance is paid in full.
The IRS generally has 10 years – from the date your tax was assessed – to collect the tax and any associated penalties and interest from you. This time period is called the Collection Statute Expiration Date (CSED).
