How can I begin doing 2019 quarterly estimations? Turbo Tax keeps trying to FORCE me to do 2018 taxes & won't let me go to 2019. My 2018 taxes are done!!

[mesquitebean]

I can tell you how to open your 2018 return to get to the section to prepare 2019 quarterly estimated taxes and print out 2019 estimated tax vouchers if desired.

Are you using Online TurboTax or the desktop CD/download software?

[VolvoGirl]

To prepare estimates for next year you start with your current return, but be careful not to change anything.  If you can't get back into your return, Click on Add a State to let you back into your retun.

You can just type W4 in the search box at the top of your return , click on Find. Then Click on Jump To and it will take you to the estimated tax payments section. Say no to changing your W-4 and the next screen will start the estimated taxes section.

Or Go to….
Federal Taxes or Personal (Deskop H&B)
Other Tax Situations
Other Tax Forms
Form W-4 and Estimated Taxes - Click the Start or Update button

[mesquitebean]

Once you prepare the estimates as above, as for payment options you could print out the quarterly 1040-ES vouchers and pay by check in the mail.

Or if you don't want any paperwork to mess with and don't want to pay by check, you have a couple of free electronic options.

You can pay each quarter at the IRS.gov website for free using direct debit from your bank account, and can print out a confirmation.   There is no fee for an ACH electronic payment from your bank account.  There IS a fee if you use debit card or credit card, however.
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay">https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay</a>
If paying there, be sure to print out the confirmation page for your records.

It's quickly becoming too late to use the next method for this first quarter's payment, since you may not have time to get it set up before April 15.  But if you will be making estimated payments for some time to come, you may want to consider setting up a free payment account at the Treasury's EFTPS website.   The Treasury has a site called EFTPS.gov where many types of tax payments can be made, including quarterly estimated taxes or even tax due from a Form 1040, etc.  You have to open an account and get a PIN (which they send in postal mail).   You can also use the PIN to make telephone payments from your bank account.   We can tell you more about EFTPS.gov, but time is running short to get that set up before April 15 since it takes a few days to mail the PIN.

[airymic]

Thanks All!   This last response was exactly what I found out yesterday.

As I stated, my 2018 taxes were already done, but they were done jointly with my wife, in a different tax software.  Therefor, I had no 2018 filing with Turbo Tax.   Because of this, there is absolutely NO WAY to get to the 2019 quarterly estimates.

Apparently, Turbo Tax has never considered the possibility of an new user, (or one who hasn't used turbo tax in years), becoming self employed, and attempting to begin the process of estimated taxes for the very first time.   So there's NO WAY to accomplish this within their software.

As well, when I requested help, their automated system called me, hung up on me, then wouldn't let me call again unless I purchased a $120 Turbo Tax package!  Really??

Luckily, the folks at Tax Slayer DO have human beings who are happy to answer their phone and assist you with simple instructions like:  Go to IRS.gov,... you can do everything yourself there.    Wow,... what a lot of effort that would have been TT!

So this is why in 2020, I'll be using Tax Slayer to files my 2019 returns.
(turbo tax could take a lesson from these folks about "Customer Service")

[VolvoGirl]

Sorry, you didn't mention that you didn't use Turbo Tax for 2018.  Usually all the questions we get for estimates think they need to have next year's 2019 program to prepare them.  

[mesquitebean]

See above discussion.