Have you ever filed your taxes with TurboTax, scheduled a payment, and then realized you need to change the date? Perhaps an unexpected expense came up, or you received a bonus later than anticipated. It's a common scenario, and navigating the nuances of tax payments can be a bit tricky. While TurboTax makes filing incredibly easy, modifying a payment date after your return has been accepted is not as straightforward as you might hope.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through what you can and cannot do when it comes to changing a payment date for your federal and state taxes after using TurboTax. We'll provide step-by-step instructions, essential contact information, and important considerations to help you manage your tax payments effectively.
The Reality of Changing Payment Dates on TurboTax
First and foremost, let's address the crucial point: Once your federal or state tax return has been accepted by the IRS or your state's Department of Revenue, you generally cannot change the payment date directly within TurboTax. TurboTax acts as a facilitator, submitting your payment instructions along with your return. Once those instructions are processed and accepted by the tax authorities, TurboTax no longer has the ability to modify them.
So, what does this mean for you? It means you'll need to work directly with the IRS for federal tax payments and your respective state's tax agency for state tax payments.
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| How To Change Payment Date On Turbotax |
Step 1: Understand the "Accepted" Status
Before you do anything, it's vital to confirm the status of your tax return.
Checking Your Return Status:
Log in to your TurboTax account. This is your starting point.
Navigate to your "Tax Home" or "My TurboTax" section. Here you'll typically see an overview of your filed returns.
Look for the status of your federal and state returns. You'll want to see if they are "Accepted," "Pending," or "Rejected."
If your return is "Pending" or "Rejected": You might still have a chance to modify payment information within TurboTax. If it's rejected, you'll need to make corrections and re-file, during which process you can adjust the payment date.
If your return is "Accepted": This is where the direct approach with the tax authorities becomes necessary.
Step 2: Federal Tax Payments – Contacting the IRS
If your federal return has been accepted and you need to change your payment date, your primary course of action is to contact the IRS.
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Sub-heading: Cancelling a Scheduled Direct Debit (Federal)
The IRS allows you to cancel a scheduled direct debit payment up to 2 business days prior to the debit date. This is a crucial window. If you're within this timeframe, here's how to proceed:
Wait 7-10 days after your return was accepted by the IRS. This ensures the payment information has been fully processed by their system.
Call IRS e-file Payment Services. The dedicated number for this is 1-888-353-4537.
Be prepared with your information. You'll need:
Your Social Security Number (SSN)
Your date of birth
Your bank routing and account numbers (used for the payment)
The exact payment amount and scheduled date.
Clearly state your intention to cancel the direct debit payment. Follow the representative's instructions carefully.
Get a confirmation number. Always ask for and record a confirmation number for your cancellation. This is your proof.
Sub-heading: After Cancellation – Rescheduling Your Federal Payment
Once you've successfully cancelled the original payment, you'll need to make new payment arrangements. You cannot reschedule the payment through TurboTax.
Use IRS Direct Pay. This is the recommended method for making federal tax payments directly from your bank account.
Go to the official IRS Direct Pay website: irs.gov/payments/direct-pay.
Select "Make a Payment."
Follow the prompts to enter your information, including the reason for payment, the tax year, and the amount.
Crucially, you can select a new payment date up to 365 days in advance.
You will receive a confirmation number for your new payment. Keep this number safe! You can use it to look up, modify, or cancel this new payment if needed (again, up to 2 business days before the scheduled date).
Other Federal Payment Options: If IRS Direct Pay isn't suitable, you can also consider:
Paying by Debit Card, Credit Card, or Digital Wallet: This usually involves a processing fee from a third-party processor, but it offers immediate payment.
Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS): This is a free service provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. It requires enrollment but allows you to schedule payments up to 365 days in advance.
Check or Money Order: You can mail a check or money order to the IRS, but remember to allow ample time for mailing and processing, and include the appropriate payment voucher (Form 1040-V).
Step 3: State Tax Payments – Contacting Your State Department of Revenue
Changing a state tax payment date after your return has been accepted is similar to federal payments: you cannot do it through TurboTax. Each state has its own procedures and systems.
Sub-heading: Direct Contact with Your State's Tax Agency
Identify your state's Department of Revenue (or equivalent). A quick search for "[Your State] Department of Revenue" will usually lead you to their official website.
Look for their payment information or contact section. Many state tax websites have a dedicated area for making or modifying payments.
Find their customer service phone number. This is often the most direct way to inquire about cancelling or changing a scheduled direct debit.
Be prepared with your state tax information. This includes:
Your State Tax ID (if applicable)
Your Social Security Number (SSN)
The tax year
The payment amount and scheduled date.
Inquire about cancellation and alternative payment methods. Ask if they can cancel the pending direct debit and what options are available for rescheduling or making a new payment.
Some states may allow you to cancel the payment directly through their online portal if you have an account.
Others may require a phone call or even a written request.
Note any fees or penalties. Be aware that some states might charge a fee for a stopped payment or for late payments if you miss the original due date.
Sub-heading: State-Specific Considerations
Cancellation Deadlines Vary: Just like the IRS, states typically have a cut-off time before the scheduled debit date to cancel a payment. This could be 1 or 2 business days.
Online Payment Portals: Many states offer their own online payment portals where you can initiate new payments. This is usually the easiest way to make a new payment after cancelling the original.
Physical Mail: If online or phone options aren't feasible, most states accept payments by mail with a corresponding voucher.
Step 4: Important Considerations and Best Practices
QuickTip: Reread tricky spots right away.
A. Act Quickly!
The sooner you realize you need to change a payment date, the better. The closer you get to the scheduled debit date, the less likely you are to be able to cancel it, especially the 2-business-day window for federal payments.
B. Documentation is Key
Keep records of everything. This includes:
Confirmation numbers for your filed return.
Dates and times of any phone calls to the IRS or state agencies.
Names of the representatives you spoke with.
Confirmation numbers for cancelled payments.
Confirmation numbers for new payments.
Take screenshots of online confirmations if you make payments through government websites.
C. Potential Penalties and Interest
If your payment is not received by the original due date, you may be subject to late payment penalties and interest from the IRS and/or your state.
Even if you cancel a payment, you are still responsible for ensuring the tax is paid on time. The cancellation only stops the specific direct debit; it doesn't extend your payment deadline.
If you anticipate needing more time to pay, consider filing for an extension before the tax deadline. While an extension grants you more time to file your return, it does not extend the time to pay your taxes. You must still pay any estimated taxes due by the original deadline to avoid penalties.
D. Communication is Crucial
If you encounter difficulties or are unsure about the process, don't hesitate to reach out to the IRS and your state tax agency. They are the ultimate authorities on your tax payments.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to cancel a federal tax payment scheduled through TurboTax?
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To cancel a federal tax payment, you must call IRS e-file Payment Services at 1-888-353-4537, typically waiting 7-10 days after your return was accepted, and do so at least 2 business days before the scheduled debit date.
How to reschedule a federal tax payment after cancelling the original one?
After cancelling, you cannot reschedule through TurboTax. You must use the IRS Direct Pay website (irs.gov/payments/direct-pay) or other direct IRS payment methods to schedule a new payment.
How to change the payment date for my state taxes after filing with TurboTax?
You cannot change it directly in TurboTax once accepted. You'll need to contact your specific state's Department of Revenue directly to inquire about cancelling the scheduled payment and then making a new payment through their authorized channels.
How to find my state's Department of Revenue contact information?
You can usually find this by performing a web search for "[Your State Name] Department of Revenue" or "[Your State Name] Tax Agency."
How to avoid penalties if I need to change my tax payment date?
The best way to avoid penalties is to cancel the original payment well within the allowed timeframe and then immediately schedule a new payment for a date on or before the original tax deadline (e.g., April 15th for most individual filers). If you need more time to pay, you should have filed an extension and paid any estimated tax due by the original deadline.
QuickTip: Use posts like this as quick references.
How to confirm if my tax payment was successfully cancelled?
Always ask for and record a confirmation number when you call the IRS or your state tax agency to cancel a payment. You can also check your bank account statement a few days after the original scheduled payment date to ensure the debit did not occur.
How to make a new federal tax payment if direct debit isn't an option?
You can pay federal taxes via debit/credit card (through third-party processors), EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System), or by mailing a check/money order with Form 1040-V.
How to know if my TurboTax return has been "accepted" or "pending"?
Log in to your TurboTax account and navigate to your "Tax Home" or "My TurboTax" section. The status of your federal and state returns will be displayed there.
How to check my federal tax payment history with the IRS?
You can access your tax account information, including payment history, through your IRS Online Account.
How to ensure my future tax payments are correctly scheduled?
When scheduling payments through IRS Direct Pay or your state's direct payment portal, always double-check the payment date, amount, and bank information before finalizing the transaction. Save all confirmation emails and numbers.
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