1999 Tax Help Archives  

Check, Money Order, Credit Card,
Direct Debit May Be Used to Pay Taxes

This is archived information that pertains only to the 1999 Tax Year. If you
are looking for information for the current tax year, go to the Tax Prep Help Area.

When you owe federal income taxes, you have choices of how to pay. This year, based on which filing option you use (paper, e-file by computer, or TeleFile by phone), you may be able to pay your taxes via check, money order, credit card, or direct debit.

If you pay taxes you owe by check or money order, make it out to the United States Treasury. Please show your correct name, address, social security number, daytime telephone number, and the tax year and form number on the front of your check or money order. Enclose your payment with your return, but do not attach it to the form. Do not mail cash with your return. If you pay cash at an IRS office, keep the receipt as part of your records.

With the quick and accurate IRS e-file options (computer or phone), you have the opportunity to file now and pay later (up to April 17, 2000) using a direct debit from your checking or savings account. Some computer filers may use tax preparation software that allows them to include a credit card charge as part of the e-file return.

The IRS has authorized Official Payments Corporation (OPC) to accept credit card charges for federal taxes by phone. All individuals - whether filing on paper or electronically - may use this system to charge taxes to American Express Card, MasterCard, or Discover Card accounts. Call 1-888-2PAY-TAX (1-888-272-9829) and follow the instructions.

OPC accepts three types of credit card payments this year:

  • taxes owed on a 1999 return;
  • a projected balance of 1999 taxes a taxpayer chooses to pay with a request for an automatic extension of time to file; and
  • estimated tax payments for tax year 2000.

Taxpayers who charge a payment with an automatic extension request or who charge an estimated tax payment will not need to file the respective paper Forms 4868 or 1040-ES. OPC accepts 1999 federal tax payments beginning January 14, and the estimated tax payment option starts March 1, 2000.

The credit card processor will charge a convenience fee based on the amount you are paying. You will be told what the fee is when you call and you will have the option to continue or cancel the call. Do not include the convenience fee as part of your tax payment. You can also find out what the fee will be on the Internet at www.8882paytax.com. If you paid by credit card before you filed your tax return, enter the confirmation number you were given at the end of the call on page 1 of Form 1040 in the upper left corner. You may file a return early and wait until April 17, 2000, to phone in a credit card charge.

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