Making payments to the IRS is something that we will all do at one point or another, some more than others. Small business owners certainly spend a lot of time making sure the tax man is properly paid, especially when the company revenues pass through to their personal tax returns as they would with a sole proprietorship, for example. The emphasis here is on properly paid. If you plan to pay your tax bill in pennies, Confederate money, a picture of a spider that you just happen to value the same as your tax bill, local currency or in some other fanciful way, don’t. Instead, make things easy and follow these tips from the IRS:
- Never send cash!
- If you file electronically, you can file and pay in a single step by authorizing an electronic funds withdrawal via tax preparation software or a tax professional.
- You can pay by phone or online using a credit or debit card whether you file a paper return or electronically.
- Electronic payment options provide an alternative to paying taxes or user fees by check or money order. You can make payments 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Visit IRS.gov and search e-pay, or refer to Publication 3611, e-File Electronic Payments for more details.
- If you itemize, you may be able to deduct the convenience fee charged for paying individual income taxes with a credit or debit card as a miscellaneous itemized deduction. The deduction is subject to the 2 percent limit on Form 1040, Schedule A, Itemized Deductions.
- Enclose your payment with your return, but do not staple it to the form.
- If you pay by check or money order, make sure it is payable to the “United States Treasury.”
- Always provide your correct name, address, Social Security number listed first on the tax form, daytime telephone number, tax year and form number on the front of your check or money order.
- Complete and include Form 1040-V, Payment Voucher, when sending your payment and tax return to the IRS. This will help the IRS process your payment accurately and efficiently.
- For more information, call 800-829-4477 for TeleTax Topic 158, "Ensuring Proper Credit of Payments.” You can also find out more in Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax and Form 1040-V, both available at IRS.gov.
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