@ Schmidt05 wrote:
NONE OF THIS WORKED. We didn't need to pay estimates for 2019; but, this doesn't says that'd be something that'd be required to get to the 2020 1040-ES.
I am so frustrated.....
I'm going to ask you to explain more, and I'm also going to give you some alternatives below.
This answer assumes you are using Online TurboTax (web version), although you didn't say if you are using online or desktop software (CD/download).
I don't understand that last paragraph you wrote. I am unable to duplicate any problem in that section when I just prepared 2020 Form 1040-ES vouchers in a test return. You do NOT have to have paid any estimated taxes in 2019 in order to prepare 2020 vouchers, so I'm not understanding something you wrote above. There are a lot of folks who have to make 2020 estimated payments for the first time.
When I went through that topic today, the only reference to "2019" that I encountered was when it asked "Which method to use" to calculate the 2020 estimated tax payments, such as these:
- 100% (or 110%) of your actual 2019 Federal taxes (for many folks, this option is probably pre-selected as a default)
- 100% of your estimated 2020 taxes
- 90% of your estimated 2020 taxes
- etc.
I don't understand what/where is a roadblock that you perceive.
After you click YES that you want the 2020 vouchers to be printed, it doesn't print at that time. It just adds them to the list of forms in your return. One then has to go to the Print Center, obtain the PDF, and then print the selected pages from the PDF. We can tell you more on how to print them when you explain what your roadblock is.
Have you already filed your 2019 return? i.e., are you preparing your 2020 1040-ES vouchers before or after you have filed?
Another option is to download blank 2020 Forms 1040-ES vouchers from the IRS website and write in the payment amount, bio info, etc. and mail them to the proper IRS service center.
An even easier way to make 1040-ES quarterly payments is paperless by using IRS Direct Pay electronically, and nothing has to be filled out and mailed.
https://www.irs.gov/payments
If paying electronically at the IRS Direct Pay site, there is no fee to have it taken directly out of your bank account. There is a service fee for paying by credit/debit card, however. If you decide to make a payment there out of your bank account, for "Reason for Payment" choose "Estimated tax". For "Apply Payment To" choose "1040-ES". Then choose the year.
Should you decide to pay there, then print out a confirmation for your records.
The advantage of IRS Direct Pay is that doesn't require an initial pre-enrollment, unlike EFTPS which I'll explain in the next paragraph.
While you can use IRS Direct Pay each quarter, if desired, if you think you are going to be making quarterly payments for a long time into the future, then you may want to consider opening a free account at the US Treasury's EFTPS website (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System.) You can even schedule quarterly payments in advance and make other types of Federal tax payments, such as a balance due on your Form 1040, etc. For first time use, you have to set it up in advance with your banking info, and they send you a PIN in postal mail. Once set up, you can make online payments there at the EFTPS website, or payments can be made by phone with the PIN. For more info on EFTPS, there is an extensive FAQ page in the left menu column at this link:
https://www.eftps.gov/eftps/
