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New Member
posted Sep 3, 2021 12:24:02 PM

How do i pay deferred payroll taxes from 2020

0 21 6094
21 Replies
Level 7
Sep 3, 2021 12:44:20 PM

If you are the employer, you deduct them from the employee's pay and pay them to the IRS.

 

If you are the employee, then your employer will deduct them from you pay and pay them to the IRS.

Level 15
Sep 3, 2021 6:29:07 PM

The IRS is just now sending out reminder letters about this repayment and the specifics on how/when to pay them.  You can wait for your notice or go online ... they recently published instructions ... 

 

 

This link has the information needed for the Self Employed  - https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/how-self-employed-individuals-and-household-employers-repay-deferred-so...

 

How individuals can repay the deferred taxes

Individuals can pay the deferred amount any time on or before the due date. They:

Individuals making deferred Social Security tax payments in EFTPS should select 1040 US Individual Income Tax Returns and deferred Social Security tax for the type of payment. They must apply the payment to the 2020 tax year where they deferred the payment. Taxpayers can visit EFTPS.gov for details.

                       

 

How to repay the deferred taxes for employers:

 

Employers can make the deferral payments through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System or by credit or debit card, money order or with a check. These payments must be separate from other tax payments to ensure they applied to the deferred payroll tax balance.

 

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/what-employers-need-to-know-about-repayment-of-deferred-payroll-taxes

 

 

How individuals can repay the deferred taxes

Individuals can pay the deferred amount any time on or before the due date. They:

Individuals making deferred Social Security tax payments in EFTPS should select 1040 US Individual Income Tax Returns and deferred Social Security tax for the type of payment. They must apply the payment to the 2020 tax year where they deferred the payment. Taxpayers can visit EFTPS.gov for details.

                                          

IRS self employment tax deferred info

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/how-self-employed-individuals-and-household-employers-repay-deferred-so...

 

And see (starting with question 18)

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/deferral-of-employment-tax-deposits-and-payments-through-december-31-20...

 

Level 3
Sep 8, 2021 3:38:43 PM

Self employed still need guidance from the IRS on exactly how to pay deferred social security using EFTPS.  The EFTPS site has added an option for "deferred social security" but also requires that you enter a tax period consisting of year (2020) AND MONTH.  At first I thought "December" would be appropriate since I am filing form 1040 as a calendar year tax payer.  But entering December returns the error "Invalid Period."  Leaving the month blank also returns an error.  I'm not comfortable "guessing" what to enter here so at this time EFTPS is not an option.

New Member
Oct 3, 2021 9:42:49 AM

Select April 2020 and the payment process continues to the confirmation screen.

New Member
Nov 7, 2021 11:22:09 AM

Though my deferred 2020 SS tax letter received August 2021 shows the tax period as ‘Dec. 31, 2020’ the EFTPS system only accepts the months of March through November to be used in order to proceed to with the payment and not receive an ‘error’ notice! I am trying to pay the 50% due by Dec 31 2021.

Which month should I use... November??

Level 15
Nov 7, 2021 11:30:50 AM

Yes... you can use November if you are paying in November.   Make sure you are choosing the correct option:  

 

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/how-self-employed-individuals-and-household-employers-repay-deferred-social-security-tax

 

 

Level 3
Nov 7, 2021 1:06:16 PM

I ran into the same issue.  Just for un, I tried the pay by telephone option.  I selected the "deferred social ecurity" option and it went through all the prompts without asking for the month.  Seems like as long as it is applied to the correct year it should be ok.

New Member
Nov 11, 2021 11:25:48 AM

Where did you see the pay by phone option? What was the number to call?

Level 3
Nov 11, 2021 12:08:31 PM

It is right on the EFTPS home page near the bottom (in the large box with text).  [phone number removed]  You may need to establish an account if you haven't already done so.

 

Sorry...  I guess Intuit didn't like me adding a phone number.

Level 15
Nov 12, 2021 1:41:41 PM

  • To pay via the voice response system: 1..800..555..3453

You have to use a format that doesn't match the forum's definition of "Phone Number".

New Member
Dec 20, 2021 8:06:14 AM

Hi, 

 

I am having the same issue- which month did you end up using? I was going to use December 2020, but have been on the phone with the IRS now for 2+ hours and they keep redirecting me.

 

Thank you for any help/advice!!

Level 1
Jan 1, 2022 6:00:14 PM

I worked for the 2020 Census and paid deferred payroll taxes in October 2021. I did not work for the Census in 2021.   There doesn't seem to be a way to enter the info into TT 2021 product.  Where do I amend my 2020 TT return for this 2021 payment? 

Help is appreciated.  

Level 15
Jan 1, 2022 6:26:15 PM

@zelinski  Do you mean the self employment tax deferral or did you pay employees?  You don't enter it on your 2020 or 2021 return.   You just pay it.

 

Half of the deferred amount is due on December 31, 2021, and the other half is due on December 31, 2022.

 

Check if you have a Schedule 3 line 12e which goes to 1040 line 31.

 

IRS Reminder to pay and how to pay

IRS reminder: For many employers and self-employed people, deferred Social Security tax payment due Jan. 3 | Internal Revenue Service

 

 

Level 3
Jan 2, 2022 5:23:04 AM

Your question has me confused...  2020 paroll taxes can be deferred and paid later (half in 2021 and half in 2022).  You have the option of making this deferment when filing your 2020 return.  So if you "paid" deferred payroll tax in 2021 it would presumably be for the 2020 tax year that you had chosen to defer.  If you chose not to defer, I don't know if you can amend your return and make this election now.  Even if you can, I'm not sure how you would benefit since the first payment due  date has already come and gone.

Level 15
Jan 2, 2022 7:09:47 AM

@zelinski 

 

If you worked as an employee and the employer used the option to reduce SS taxes on your paycheck in 2020 and you did not work for them in 2021 then it is NOT your responsibility to repay the reduced taxes voluntarily ... it is the employer's responsibility to  pay them on your behalf  then try to collect them from  you.  Contact the employer for directions on this matter as it cannot be done on the 2020 or 2021 return.  

 

Here is a good article explaining in plain english :  https://www.patriotsoftware.com/blog/payroll/employee-social-security-tax-deferral/

Level 1
Jan 2, 2022 4:33:21 PM

Thank you for all your responses.  I did pay the 2020 deferred payroll tax to the 2020 Census employer.  The invoice they sent was very threatening, and I assumed I was responsible.   I was hoping to report it on my 2021 tax return.  This was so screwy.  

Level 15
Jan 2, 2022 5:46:07 PM

It is NOT reported on the 2021 return anywhere  and they should have sent a corrected 2020 W-2 and you can amend the 2020 return if it makes a difference (most likely will not). 

Returning Member
Jan 29, 2022 6:23:06 AM

I paid the amount owed in full when I received the notice from the IRS.   How do I capture the payment of these taxes when I complee my 2021 taxes in Turbo Tax?

Expert Alumni
Jan 30, 2022 7:07:58 AM

Are you referring to the self employment tax deferral on the 2020 Federal 1040 tax return?  Please clarify. 

 

If so, the payment is not reported on the 2021 Federal tax return.

Level 3
Jan 30, 2022 7:26:44 AM

gccdelaney...  Ther is nothing to "capture" or report on your 2021 return.

Level 15
Jan 31, 2022 6:40:42 AM

@gccrdelaney

As Employee Tax Expert JamesG1 and mwarney indicate above, if you’re referring to the self-employment tax deferral from tax year 2020, this won’t be reported on your tax year 2021 return.

Please see the IRS’ How self-employed individuals and household employers repay deferred Social Security tax for reporting information.