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Level 3
September 9, 2025
Question

Applying April 15, 2025 Estimated Payment for Tax Year 2025 Toward 2024 Balance

  • September 9, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 64 views

On April 15, 2025, when I filed for an extension, I made two payments that I can now see on my IRS.gov account:

  1. One applied toward my 2024 balance.

  2. Another submitted as an estimated tax payment for tax year 2025. I specified the wrong tax year when made payment.

I’d like to know if it’s possible to have the second payment (currently applied to 2025 estimated taxes) re-applied to my 2024 balance instead.

 

If that’s allowed:

  1. Should I just enter the 2025 payment under my 2024 estimated tax payments in TurboTax, file my 2024 return, and wait for the IRS to reallocate it automatically? (I realize this would reduce my 2025 estimated payments, but I’d rather avoid owing for 2024 after April 15, 2025 which has steeper penalties)

  2. Or do I need to call the IRS ahead of filing to request the change? If so, what’s the best way to reach them? Can't reach human on [phone number removed] phone number.

1 reply

Mike9241
Level 15
Level 15
September 9, 2025

If that’s allowed:

  1. Should I just enter the 2025 payment under my 2024 estimated tax payments in TurboTax, file my 2024 return, and wait for the IRS to reallocate it automatically? (I realize this would reduce my 2025 estimated payments, but I’d rather avoid owing for 2024 after April 15, 2025 which has steeper penalties)

You cannot just do it. the iRS has it down as a '25 estimate so it probably will not movet he payment on its own to 2024

 

  1. Or do I need to call the IRS ahead of filing to request the change? If so, what’s the best way to reach them? Can't reach human on [phone number removed] phone number. yes

Call 800-829-1040

  • Choose your language,
  • Then choose option 2
  • Then 1
  • Then 3
  • Then 2
  • When it asks you to enter your SSN or EIN do nothing – wait - - After it asks twice, you will get another menu
  • Then 2
  • Then 3

 

It should then transfer you to an agent. Note when its phone line are busy you may be on hold for a long while or disconnected

 

Have the details of the payment ready, including the amount, the date it was made, and the method of payment

 

 

I will point out there seems to be some online services that say they can help with this matter. I know nothing about them, so if you want to DIY search the internet for them and use at your own risk. 

Mike9241