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Level 2
posted Jan 27, 2021 7:50:30 PM

Tax payment options

In the past I've been able to pay my taxes through Turbotax draft from my bank account. This year there is no option for that, only pay the IRS directly by check. Anyone know why?

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5 Replies
Level 15
Jan 28, 2021 9:09:53 PM

You should still be able to select Direct Debit option as long as you can e-file your return.  I had another user yesterday that wasn't offered that option, as well.  Once he realized that some of the forms weren't yet available for him to e-file his return, he found the issue.  

 

Is this maybe your situation?  I'm sharing a TurboTax FAQ below that gives reasons a return cannot be e-filed.

 

When a tax return can't be e-filed no matter what you do 

Level 2
Jan 30, 2021 10:25:12 AM

No that didn't seem to be the problem, even though I was waiting for Turbotax to generate  form 8898. After that came through I was able to e-file but was still not given the option to draft payment from my account.

Level 15
Jan 30, 2021 12:03:07 PM

Strange.  I can't think of any other reason that you wouldn't be able to pay using direct debit.  Here's a TurboTax FAQ about direct debit.

 

What is direct debit and how does it work? 

 

Are you just not seeing that option at all?  Are you being given ONLY the option to pay by check?  You know you can also use Direct Pay offered on the IRS website (rather than writing a check).  Here's a link to the payment options via the IRS website:

 

Payments | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)

 

I'd like to investigate this a little more.  Are you using TurboTax Online (web-based) or Desktop (CD/Download)?

Level 2
Jan 30, 2021 12:16:59 PM

I'm only given the option to pay by check. I'm using the web version.

Thanks for the link to the IRS, I'll use that.

Level 15
Jan 30, 2021 12:36:47 PM

Thanks, @kitesRmything.  I'll share your post with TurboTax Moderators to see if they have any explanation as to why you can't use direct debit.  Sorry for the difficulty!