Will TurboTax assist in setting up 2020 quarterly estimated tax payments?

[KathrynG3]

Yes. You can set up estimates in TurboTax. Follow these steps:

• Form the left menu, select Federal
• Click on the third tab from the left across the top, Other Tax Situations
• Scroll down to Other Tax Forms
• Form W-4 and Estimated Taxes click Start

The interview will begin by asking if you want to change your Withholding by changing Form W-4 submitted to employer(s). From there, you will enter your details and be able to create your quarterly estimates.

[leeb37]

Thanks for the quick response. Unfortunately, when I log back into TurboTax, I don't see any "Federal" option. I see "Tax Home" and "Documents". Tax Home just brings me back to the page showing that federal and state returns were accepted, taxes due, etc. Possibly a version issue, i.e. I am using TurboTax Online?

[CatinaT1]

Here is how to get to estimated payments. Please note: You are NOT going to amend your return and you are NOT going to add a state return. These directions are quirky but will get the job done.

1.  Log into your return
2. Select that you want to add a state - this lets you into the program without the amend process starting.
3. In the top right corner, locate the Magnifying glass/search  
4. enter Estimated Payments
5. Select the first entry Jump to Estimated Payments
6. Fill in the information

[leeb37]

Also a fast response but didn't apply!  When I click on Amend My Return, I'm given these options: TurboTax sent me an email; the IRS or state sent me a notice; Adding or updating a tax form; Changing other info on my return; None of these apply. I tried Adding or updating a tax form, and then searched for Estimated Payments. That did give me lots of options, but all were regarding 2019 or 2018 estimated federal or state taxes paid. I also tried "none of these apply". Nowhere could I find any way to set up a stream of future federal and state payments for 2020 estimated taxes due in April, July, October 2020 and Jan 2021. I know that I can make single payments on the IRS site and also on the NC site; I'm seeking to make this foolproof as I was completing tax returns for my mother and stepfather.

[CatinaT1]

You are NOT amending your return.  Don't click on Amend.  You are clicking add another state - even though you aren't.  Add another state simply let's you back into the program so you can get to the estimated payments.

[DoninGA]

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@leeb37 wrote:

Also a fast response but didn't apply!  When I click on Amend My Return, I'm given these options: TurboTax sent me an email; the IRS or state sent me a notice; Adding or updating a tax form; Changing other info on my return; None of these apply. I tried Adding or updating a tax form, and then searched for Estimated Payments. That did give me lots of options, but all were regarding 2019 or 2018 estimated federal or state taxes paid. I also tried "none of these apply". Nowhere could I find any way to set up a stream of future federal and state payments for 2020 estimated taxes due in April, July, October 2020 and Jan 2021. I know that I can make single payments on the IRS site and also on the NC site; I'm seeking to make this foolproof as I was completing tax returns for my mother and stepfather.

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You do not click on Amend a return.  You click on Add a State.

To access your current or prior year online tax returns sign onto the TurboTax website with the userID you used to create the account - https://myturbotax.intuit.com/

When you sign onto your online account and land on the Tax Home web page, scroll down and click on Add a state. 

This will take you back to the 2019 online tax return.

Click on Federal on the left side of the screen

Click on Other Tax Situations at the top of the screen

Scroll down and on Other Tax Forms click on Show more

On Form W-4 and Estimated Taxes, click on Start

On the next screen, Adjust How Much Tax You Pay click on NO.

On the next screen, Review Your Estimates?, click on Review Now

Continue with this section until it completes and you can print the estimated tax forms 1040-ES for 2020

Also see this TurboTax support FAQ for calculating the 2020 estimated taxes - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-payments/help/can-turbotax-calculate-next-year-s-federal-estim...

[leeb37]

Thank you, @CatinaT1 and @ DoninGA   

Got it - so I did make an error in clicking on Amend (but canceled - no harm done). However, when I click on Add a State and then search for Estimated Payments, I'm still getting the same result: I can edit 2019 estimated payments made, I can reprint my 2020 vouchers, but I don't see an option to set up future auto-drafted payments towards 2020 taxes. I did search through a bit more of the responses when searching for Estimated Payments and found a FAQ directing me to the IRS Payment website if I don't want to just mail in the vouchers. Guess I was expecting something a little slicker these days to be embedded in this program than printing and mailing paper vouchers, but I think the answer to this thread is: TurboTax provides you with the paper vouchers for your 2020 quarterly estimated tax payments.  When such payments are due, one may either use the printed vouchers and mail in payments, or go to the IRS Payments site and pay electronically (same for state quarterly estimate income taxes if your state provides a utility for payment of quarterly taxes).