Does Direct Pay provide confirmation my payment request was submitted?

Will direct pay work for me?

Direct Pay is a convenient online payment option provided by the IRS that allows taxpayers to pay their federal taxes directly from their bank accounts. It is a free and secure service designed to help individuals and businesses make tax payments efficiently.

What is direct pay?

Direct Pay is an IRS payment system that allows taxpayers to pay their tax bills electronically using a checking or savings account. This service does not require registration and provides instant confirmation of transactions. Unlike other payment options, Direct Pay does not charge fees for processing payments.

What kinds of payments does direct pay accept? (Updated December 5, 2024)

Direct Pay accepts payments for various tax obligations, including:

• Individual tax return balances
• Estimated tax payments
• Extensions of time to file
• Installment agreement payments
• Amended return balances
• Additional tax assessments

For a full list of accepted payment types, visit the IRS Direct Pay website.

How do I make a payment?

To make a payment using Direct Pay:

1. Visit the IRS Direct Pay webpage and select “Make a Payment.”
2. Choose the reason for your payment, the tax year, and how you want the payment applied.
3. Follow the on-screen prompts to verify your identity.
4. Enter your bank account information and submit your payment.
5. Save the confirmation number for future reference.

How Do I Schedule a Future Payment?

You can schedule a payment up to 365 days in advance:

1. Select “Make a Payment” on the Direct Pay page.
2. Follow the steps to enter your payment details.
3. At Step 3, choose a future payment date.

How do I verify, change, or cancel a future payment?

If you have your confirmation number, you can look up, modify, or cancel a scheduled payment:

1. Go to the Direct Pay main page and select “Look Up a Payment.”
2. Enter your confirmation number to access your payment details.
3. You must make any changes at least two business days before the payment date.

How do I set up recurring payments?

Direct Pay does not allow automatic recurring payments. You must manually schedule each payment. However, the IRS Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) allows recurring payments.

How do I verify My Identity? (Updated December 5, 2024)

To use Direct Pay, you must verify your identity each time you use the system:

• Individuals: Use personal details from a prior-year tax return (up to 6 years old).
• Businesses: Provide the business name and Employer Identification Number (EIN).

How do I know my payment was received? (Updated September 18, 2024)

You will receive a confirmation number when you complete a payment. To verify if the IRS has processed it:

1. Check your IRS online tax account two business days after your scheduled payment date.
2. If your payment status is still “Pending,” wait three more business days.
3. Contact your bank or the IRS if your payment does not appear in your tax account.

How do I make a Payment for my spouse? (Updated September 16, 2022)

If you file jointly, you can make a payment on behalf of your spouse by selecting “Married – Filed Joint Return” during identity verification and entering the primary spouse’s information.

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How do I pay from a non-U.S. bank account?

Direct Pay requires a U.S. bank account with a valid routing number. If your international bank has a U.S. affiliate, it may provide the necessary routing number. Otherwise, you will need to use an alternative IRS-approved payment method.

How do I find out how much I owe?

• Review recent IRS notices for payment due amounts.
• Log in to your IRS online tax account to check your balance.
• Request a tax account transcript by mail for past tax years.

How do I obtain a filing extension through direct pay?

Between January 1 and the tax filing deadline:

1. Select “Make a Payment” on the Direct Pay page.
2. Choose “Extension” as your payment reason.
3. Complete the payment process.

This automatically grants a six-month extension to file but does not extend the payment deadline.

Resolving problems with direct pay

You Received a Confirmation, but the IRS Didn’t Receive Your Payment

If your payment does not appear in your tax account:

• Verify with your bank that the funds were withdrawn.
• Contact the IRS if your payment is missing after two business days.

You can’t select your tax year for identity verification (Updated September 16, 2022)

Direct Pay only verifies identity using past tax returns (up to 6 years old). If you are making a payment for the current tax year or a tax return older than six years, you may need to choose another tax year for verification.

Your identity information is not accepted (Updated December 5, 2024)

• Ensure your name and address match exactly as they appear on a past tax return.
• If your address has changed, try using a return from a different year.
• Consider using EFTPS for frequent or multiple payments.

You Lost Your Confirmation Number

Direct Pay does not allow retrieval of lost confirmation numbers. If you requested email confirmation, check your email.

You received an email about a payment you did not make

IRS does not typically send payment emails unless you request confirmation. If you receive a suspicious email, follow IRS guidelines for reporting phishing attempts.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure smooth and secure tax payments using IRS Direct Pay.