Why are Estimated Tax Vouchers showing up with my federal taxes when I review the forms before e-filing? They shouldn't be there.

[iceland70]

This has been reported before and it seems like a bug but no official answer on this.  I've never had estimated taxes vouchers print before with the e-filing.  I'm not self-employed and my employer hasn't changed what they've been doing, so this seems like a mistake on TurboTax's part.  

This is hard to just ignore and file.  Would prefer they aren't on the e-filing.  Seeking some new input on this bug / issue in time before I submit the e-file.

Thank you!! 

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

The 1040ES vouchers are optional to use.  You are not required to use them.  If you expect to owe at least $1000 next year then making estimated quarterly payments helps you to avoid a big tax bill and a possible underpayment penalty at tax time next year.  But you can ignore them or shred them if you want to.  They are not sent to the IRS---so you can relax. They were not generated due to a bug or a mistake.  

[iceland70]

Thanks for your reply.  Luckily I've always gotten a return, not had to pay in.  That's why this is so odd.  Same kind of return last year and they weren't there in the e-filing.  If it's not a bug but rather something new TurboTax is doing it could help if it was explained on the e-filing it is ok to ignore or the preferred option, they're just not there.  Either option, it would save so much time eh.  I'll ignore them as best I can.  🙂  Thank you again for your reply!

[VolvoGirl]

They are optional to pay. Turbo Tax is very conservative and doesn't want you to owe too much next year. They might have printed out if you got a one time large income this year. Like if you took a IRA or 401K distribution. You can ignore them. You might want to adjust your withholding at work so you won't owe too much next year.

If you are receiving a refund or low tax due and TurboTax prepared the vouchers then your tax liability was probably reduced by credits.

[iceland70]

No IRA or 401K stuff happening this year or ever, so far.  We are seeing a refund as we typically do.  Not following about tax liability was probably reduced by credits.  Not aware of credits involved, but as you can guess, not knowledgeable enough on all tax info stuff, my apologies.  Thank you for your reply, I am hearing you about the optional part.  🙂  Would just rather they not be there, but from the other reply, it seems safe to ignore, it's not going to the IRS.  Thanks again.

[LanaK2]

The erroneous tax vouchers are here again for 2024 taxes.  I have a refund and the vouchers should not have been generated.  There are 4 of them for $267 each.  Claiming there is not a bug seems unfounded.  Something generated them.  

[Miss MCJ2]

They are generated for eveeryone.  If not needed just throw them away.

[AnnetteB6]

You are correct, there is something in the program that generates those vouchers.  The following TurboTax help article will give you some examples for when they are printed with your return.  However, there is nothing filed with the IRS with regard to these vouchers for the next tax year and you are not required to use them or make the payments.  They are there only to assist users who do wish to make estimated payments.

Why did 1040-ES estimated tax vouchers print out? Do I need them?

@LanaK2 
 

[Galaxy_Guy]

Appreciate this thread.  Oddly, we got the vouchers this year when we haven't had them show up in years past.

According to the linked TT info:

"We'll automatically include four quarterly 1040-ES vouchers with your printout if you didn't withhold or pay enough tax this year. We do this to head off a possible underpayment penalty on next year's taxes."

That's not everyone!   Plus, our tax situation is virtually the same as last year when we didn't get them.  We are due a substantial refund -- because we had more than enough money withheld to cover taxes owed.  So, by the blurb above, we shouldn't be seeing the vouchers at all.

Of course, adding to the confusion, the ES vouchers are stamped with "DO NOT FILE   FORM NOT FINAL".   From another post, I understand that's because the IRS hasn't finalized the vouchers for 2024.  However, to the uninitiated, that's an alarming statement.  There we were reviewing our printout before e-filing and 4 pages in a row were warning us:  "DO NOT FILE"!

Intuit needs to change the language.  The top of the form could explain what they are (advanced payments of next year's taxes), that everyone gets the vouchers (if that is, indeed, true), that they are not submitted with people's current year's tax forms, and that they are only applicable if required by the federal government (e.g., due to owing excessive taxes) or one wishes to pay taxes on a quarterly basis.