topic Why does TurboTax say I am required to pay my federal taxes by a paper check? I have no paper checks and I live in a foreign country. Is there a digital payment option? in Deductions & credits

Why does TurboTax say I am required to pay my federal taxes by a paper check? I have no paper checks and I live in a foreign country. Is there a digital payment option?

tnardine — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:50:37 GMT

Most of my income falls under the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. I also pay some Self-Employment taxes. I'm a US citizen living overseas.

Re: Why does TurboTax say I am required to pay my federal taxes by a paper check? I have no paper checks and I live in a foreign country. Is there a digital payment option?

xmasbaby0 — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:53:12 GMT

Where are you seeing that?

If you have federal tax due you can pay by mailing your payment with the 1040V voucher, (which has the address printed on it, having the payment taken out of a designated bank account, or you can pay directly on the IRS website.

https://www.irs.gov/payments

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-payments/help/how-can-i-pay-my-federal-taxes/00/26212

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-payments/help/how-do-i-pay-my-irs-tax-due-with-a-check-or-money-order/00/26403

To apply for a payment plan with the IRS

Apply Online for a Payment Plan

Re: Why does TurboTax say I am required to pay my federal taxes by a paper check? I have no paper checks and I live in a foreign country. Is there a digital payment option?

DoninGA — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:55:32 GMT

If you have federal taxes owed there are several ways to pay the taxes owed.

If you do not have a US bank account with a bank located in the US then you cannot use direct debit for the taxes owed. You can use the IRS payment website to pay the taxes owed by credit card.

Go to this IRS payment website for payment options - https://www.irs.gov/payments

Re: Why does TurboTax say I am required to pay my federal taxes by a paper check? I have no paper checks and I live in a foreign country. Is there a digital payment option?

tnardine — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 16:00:25 GMT

Thank you @xmasbaby0

Under the 'File' section of TurboTax I click 'continue' from that landing page.

Top of the screen says "Just one more step and we'll file your returns"

Step 2 says: "Your tax payment info" and...
"For your Federal return:
You opted to pay the tax you owe with a paper check. Mailing instructions can be found on the first page of your return."

I did not opt to pay this way, but I remember the TurboTax system gave me no other choice. The 'choice' was forced on me. Can I simply pay online? (I live in a foreign country if that makes any difference)

Re: Why does TurboTax say I am required to pay my federal taxes by a paper check? I have no paper checks and I live in a foreign country. Is there a digital payment option?

xmasbaby0 — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 16:07:23 GMT

TurboTax never knows how, when or even if you pay your tax due. Even if you inadvertently clicked that you would mail a check, you can choose one of the other options to pay your tax. Paying online would be the easiest route.

Re: Why does TurboTax say I am required to pay my federal taxes by a paper check? I have no paper checks and I live in a foreign country. Is there a digital payment option?

Carl — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 17:26:38 GMT

Just tell the program you'll pay with a paper check and be done with it. Then, go online to www.irs.gov/payments and make your tax payment to the IRS with a credit or debit card. I do not know if the IRS has any requirements on the card you use, being in US funds.

Re: Why does TurboTax say I am required to pay my federal taxes by a paper check? I have no paper checks and I live in a foreign country. Is there a digital payment option?

SteamTrain — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 12:01:58 GMT

...But, do not pay until the IRS "accepts" your tax file.....and they won't be doing that until later this month.

IF the IRS rejects your e-file for any reason, any changes you make to get it right could also change the tax due.