What is tax year for 4Q estimated tax payment scheduled in December but credited in January?

[AndrewQQ]

I schedule, using both my state (NY) and Federal my 4Q estimated return in early December.  But I note that in both cases, the actual electronic deduction payment is not electronically/listed until the following January in the next tax year, even though I schedule (and deduct from my checking account as if that money is spent) in December when I scheduled the payment.

So, is it kosher to credit this payment for the PREVIOUS tax year that I actually scheduled it in (December)?  And if so, what date do I use in the TurboTax menus, the date that I scheduled the payment for or the date in January (eg: 12/1/2021) that it was actually electronically deducted (eg 1/15/2022)?

I've tried to find the answer online without success.

I ask because I know that if you write a check to say a charity in late December, even if it isn't cashed until January, it 'counts' as a chartible deduction in the previous tax year even though the money wasn't cashed until January.

Thanks!

[Hal_Al]

The fourth quarter estimated payment for tax year 2021 is due Jan 15, 2022.  Whether you paid it 12-1-21 or 1-15-22, it's still for tax year 2021.

In TurboTax (TT), you use the actual date paid, in your case 1-15-22.  Note that in the TT menu, you are entering 2021 tax year payments. 

[Anonymous_]

See also https://www.irs.gov/publications/p505#en_US_2019_publink1000194636

[VolvoGirl]

How did you schedule the 4th quarter payment in December?   But the payment didn't come out of your bank account until January?   Don't you pick a date to pay it?   

In addition the answers above I always pay my state estimate in December 2021 so it counts as a 2021 state tax paid if you itemize deductions on federal.   Otherwise a Jan 2022 payment will be a federal deduction when you do your 2022 return a year from now.   So if you pay a state estimate in January don't forget to also add it to your next years federal return.

[SteamTrain]

@VolvoGirl 

Though I could be mistaken, I think @AndrewQQ  meant that the software automatically uses the default date of 1/15/2022 for the 4Q date, and just doesn't realize that he is supposed to change that date in the software program himself,  to whatever date the payment was actually made.

[VolvoGirl]

I thought he meant it didn't get electronically paid (deducted) until January.  But reading it over several more times it does sound like the Turbo Tax default date of 1/15/2022.   Yes you have to overwrite the dates and enter the date you actually paid it.  The date paid can affect other things on your return.