topic Can I file early but not pay what I owe until the deadline? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Can I file early but not pay what I owe until the deadline?

beeks6 — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 10:00:02 GMT

I'd like to go ahead and file to get it out of the way. But I owe money and would prefer not to actually pay until the deadline.

Re: Can I file early but not pay what I owe until the deadline?

AmyC — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:10:23 GMT

Yes, select that you will mail in the payment, then e-file your return. When ready, make your Payments.

Another option is to select direct debit from your checking account and enter 4/15/2025 for the direct debit date.

Re: Can I file early but not pay what I owe until the deadline?

DoninGA — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:11:15 GMT

Yes, you have two options when you have taxes owed. In the File section of the program on Step 2, when taxes are owed you can select either to pay the taxes owed by check or pay the taxes owed by direct debit from your bank account.

If you choose pay by check you can e-file your return and then mail a check to the IRS at any time on or before April 15, 2025 or you can go to the IRS payment website to pay the taxes owed using Direct Pay, again on or before April 15, 2025 - https://www.irs.gov/payments

If you choose to pay the taxes owed by direct debit from your bank account, you can select the date for the taxes to be paid on or before April 15, 2025.