Thank you CatinaT1.
I think you are right about triggering the automatic extension after making the payment through EFTPS, since I came to that same conclusion after reading Form 4868 instructions on the IRS site.
And as you mentioned, I suspected that the "estimates" I gave on the eFiled 4868 were not important since the important amount is the amount you actually pay.
But I was surprised to see this warning in the instructions:
"CAUTION: Make your estimate as accurate as you can with the information you have. If we later find that the estimate wasn't reasonable, the extension will be null and void. "
I was actually pretty shocked to see that! Did not expect that would make any difference. So that may mean that that at least the extension I eFiled yesterday might be considered null and void.
My ASSUMPTION is that the fact that I today PAID the expected balance due for 2019 as payment with "1040 Extension" on EFTPS will automatically create a valid extension in spite of the fact that the eFiled extension may be considered null and void. But that is only an assumption. And clearly my other assumption was not correct so who knows.
So here is my plan. Even though it SEEMS like I should be covered at this point, I'm not SURE if I am doubly covered, singly covered or not covered at all. The only other thing I can think of that I can do to make it even more likely I am covered is to mail a paper 4868 out by 7/15/2020 with the corrected numbers on it. And as much as I HATE mailing stuff, that's what I plan to do.
If that doesn't cover me, I don't know what will!
Thanks again for your help. Your conclusion is probably right, but can't hurt more than the price of a stamp to wear both a belt and suspenders. 😄
God help me survive this tax season!
