I'm paper filing taxes, can I use the IRS direct pay?

[Macy522]

I am paper filing federal and state returns.

1. I had no other option but to select Pay my taxes by paper check for both federal and state I owe. Then I see some information in community about IRS direct pay? Can people who paper file use this option for federal or state returns if they owe?

If so please explain further exactly how to do that?

Also If I would decide to or have to pay by paper check for either federal or state, you can mail the lump sum with your tax return correct?

I would not want to pay in installments.

[Kat]

Yes, you can always include your check along with your paper filing.  

There are other ways to make payment to the IRS, and Direct Pay is one of the easiest.  It's an electronic payment that comes straight from your bank account.

I'm linking you to the IRS Instructions for Form 1040.  Specifically, see page 61 where you'll find the different options to make payment.

2021 Instruction 1040 (irs.gov)

This link takes you directly to the IRS payments page:

Payments | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)

[DawnC]

Yes, you can mail a check if you need to, but your federal tax payment would need to be sent to the IRS and your state payment would need to go to your state's taxing authority.   You can do direct payments for your federal return at the IRS website.   There are other payment option available from this link as well.  

And most states allow direct payments at the states' website, which you can find in this chart.   TurboTax will print instructions with the mailing address for paper checks if you decide to go that route. 

[Macy522]

Thank you, I am guessing I should mail the returns in first and let them get there before submitting payments if I decide to do them online?  I also wonder what happens if your paper check or online payment is too much or too little because of a turbotax error? I assume they will mail a letter saying the payment needs adjusting if paid by paper check? Or maybe they deduct a different amount from your checking vs the amount you tried to pay if you do it online.

[Kat]

@Macy522 As long as your payments are there before the filing deadline, you should be good.  The IRS will apply your payment to your tax account, so the payment will be there whenever your mailed return arrives and is processed.  I'm assuming that the states work in a similar fashion.

If there are errors in your returns, taxing authorities will notify you by mail regarding any changes they make.  If you owe additional money, they'll notify you and you can then make payment.