IRS did not withdraw my payment....

[OrangeBirdGirl]

Hopefully someone has run into this..... Filed my taxes and owed in for federal taxes. Setup for payment to be withdrawn on 4/1. Payment never was withdrawn. I found a way to do an automated call to check the status and it said "the withdraw did not go through". I had money in my account, I called the bank and they stated no attempt was made on 4/1. I have tried calling up the IRS to figure out what to do and I can't get ahold of anyone. Everyplace I have called says after I do various prompts "due to technical difficulties this can't be completed" then it hangs up. Yes, my bank account numbers were correct. As I just copied and pasted from state to federal (plus verified it pasted right) and no issues with my state taxes.

According to google, it sounds like the IRS is going to send me a letter that this didn't go through and how to pay. However, what I can't figure out is will I be getting a penalty as I still don't have the letter and the tax deadline is next week, so what if it doesn't show up and I can't pay by the 15th? If you know of a penalty, then I will keep trying to get someone on the phone.

I did try to create an account with IRS to see if it shows anything in there. What a pain, upload drivers license, then it does a selfie to compare you to the photo. Then it went to something like a fair credit check (I'm assuming this is where they ask the standard questions like did you ever have a mortgage with x bank). However, our credit is frozen and I don't know which bureau to unlock it through. So it says I can't be verified.

Thanks for anyone's guidance who has actually run into this issue before.

 

[soccerdad72]

You could try calling them, but I would pack a lunch - the last time the IRS screwed up our payments, it was like 3-4 hours on the phone to begin to unravel what they did wrong.

 

[Brian Noble]

I also have my credit reports frozen. When I have to do something that may involve a pull, I thaw all three for about a week. You could try that and try the verification again and see if you can get any farther.

However, if it were me, I would probably just submit a paper check with a 1040-V. It sounds like they are not going to (or cannot) re-submit the electronic payment.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040v.pdf

 

[SteveH]

Get written confirmation from your bank about the transaction. Then send a certified letter (US Mail) with confirmation stating the facts and include the banks report. That should resolve you from any fines. Then follow what @Brian Noble suggested.

 

[georgina]

Hopefully someone has run into this..... Filed my taxes and owed in for federal taxes. Setup for payment to be withdrawn on 4/1. Payment never was withdrawn. I found a way to do an automated call to check the status and it said "the withdraw did not go through". I had money in my account, I called the bank and they stated no attempt was made on 4/1. I have tried calling up the IRS to figure out what to do and I can't get ahold of anyone. Everyplace I have called says after I do various prompts "due to technical difficulties this can't be completed" then it hangs up. Yes, my bank account numbers were correct. As I just copied and pasted from state to federal (plus verified it pasted right) and no issues with my state taxes.

According to google, it sounds like the IRS is going to send me a letter that this didn't go through and how to pay. However, what I can't figure out is will I be getting a penalty as I still don't have the letter and the tax deadline is next week, so what if it doesn't show up and I can't pay by the 15th? If you know of a penalty, then I will keep trying to get someone on the phone.

I did try to create an account with IRS to see if it shows anything in there. What a pain, upload drivers license, then it does a selfie to compare you to the photo. Then it went to something like a fair credit check (I'm assuming this is where they ask the standard questions like did you ever have a mortgage with x bank). However, our credit is frozen and I don't know which bureau to unlock it through. So it says I can't be verified.

Thanks for anyone's guidance who has actually run into this issue before.

Sorry you are having an issue. Not sure how you set up the payment, but I always do it on the IRS website using direct pay with bank account. I don't submit it with my return, but separately. You don't need an account or log in to do it this way. (I set mine up to pay Apr 11 so hoping it goes through and it is not a massive website issue!)

 

[goofyernmost]

Sounds like the handiwork of our favorite Lectric car builder and his child minions. By the way, you also have to go through all that crap to get to Social Security as well. Great job guys. What do the elderly do to get in touch with them if you don't have a computer or smart phone.

 

[China Expat]

Elon has laid off half of the IRS so service is way down

 

[tvguy]

Anything important, like taxes, I mail a check. This was the first time in over 40 years that I owed the IRS money.
Total time from check was mailed, for the U.S. Post Office to transport it 2,300 miles and the IRS to get it, cash it and hit my bank was 9 days.
To avoid fines, I would put a check in the mail today.

 

[NYCgrrl]

To avoid fines, I would put a check in the mail today.

They go by postmark date so OP should be fine if she opts to mail this week. Just take a photo of the postmark to be sure.

Been paying the IRS for almost 2 decades now so my act of “defiance” is to pay electronically at midnight on the due date. Once or twice I paid minutes after 12:00 AM .

 

[tvguy]

They go by postmark date so OP should be fine if she opts to mail this week. Just take a photo of the postmark to be sure.

Been paying the IRS for almost 2 decades now so my act of “defiance” is to pay electronically at midnight on the due date. Once or twice I paid minutes after 12:00 AM .

Not sure how you would get a picture of the postmark since that is done after you mail it, but you can get a proof of mailing from the Post Office when you mail it. But it will cost you $2.20.

 

[georgina]

Anything important, like taxes, I mail a check. This was the first time in over 40 years that I owed the IRS money.
Total time from check was mailed, for the U.S. Post Office to transport it 2,300 miles and the IRS to get it, cash it and hit my bank was 9 days.
To avoid fines, I would put a check in the mail today.

I'm the opposite. Important payments I prefer to make electronically rather than trusting the post office. I have been paying the IRS and state taxes electronically 4 or 5 times a year, (including quarterly estimated taxes) without issue.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Not sure how you would get a picture of the postmark since that is done after you mail it, but you can get a proof of mailing from the Post Office when you mail it. But it will cost you $2.20.

Easy. Walk the letter to the counter and ask for it to be hand postmarked. Before the worker drops it in the bin take a photo. Did that frequently for court cases when we had to prove service. Post office also offers an entire blank book to place service proof for say an entire apartment building.

 

[tvguy]

I'm the opposite. Important payments I prefer to make electronically rather than trusting the post office. I have been paying the IRS and state taxes electronically 4 or 5 times a year, (including quarterly estimated taxes) without issue.

Well, if the check gets lost, you have proof of mailing, so no IRS penalty. You stop payment and write a replacement check. Not even sure how you untangle it getting lost in cyberspace.
When my wife and I retired, it was interesting that our 401k Rollovers to IRAs were all done by check. Electronic wasn't even an option.

 

[OrangeBirdGirl]

Thanks everyone! Sounds like no one actually received the letter. I found a way to go on IRS's website and submit a payment w/o creating an account. Initially when I filed my taxes, I did it through H&R Block software and just put that info into their website for the IRS to take out the money. I did not pay directly through IRS's website.

I was just leery going this route, as I thought what if I screwed up on taxes and don't owe what I anticipated. But the automated prompt on one of my calls it did confirm they tried to w/d the amount I showed I owed so I guess I'm 75% confident that's what I owe. If the payment doesn't go through by Weds, I guess I'll try spending Thurs figuring out yet again how to get an actual agent on the line.

 

[georgina]

Well, if the check gets lost, you have proof of mailing, so no IRS penalty. You stop payment and write a replacement check. Not even sure how you untangle it getting lost in cyberspace.
When my wife and I retired, it was interesting that our 401k Rollovers to IRAs were all done by check. Electronic wasn't even an option.

I have a screen shot with the payment confirmation number, date and time I filed the payment, amount, date to be paid, reason for payment (balance due), payment type (income tax, form 1040), tax year for payment (2024), bank name, account number, my email address. It says at the top 'record the information on this page for future reference'. Also have an email from the IRS titled - IRS Direct Pay Confirmation of Scheduled Transaction

When we sold our house the money was wired directly to our Vanguard account. We sold one annuity where they insisted on sending a check, it took 2 weeks and was a very nervous time for me. Paper mail is the worst!

 

[WebmasterCorey]

I hope y’all are on the Controversial Board, because I see this thread getting moved. I prefer to move rather than issue infractions.

 

[tvguy]

When we sold our house the money was wired directly to our Vanguard account. We sold one annuity where they insisted on sending a check, it took 2 weeks and was a very nervous time for me. Paper mail is the worst!

My daughter got direct deposit a few months ago when she sold her house, but the series of phone calls between my daughter and the title company, my daughter and her Financial Planner, returning calls to the title company because they could not officially close escrow until she confirmed the deposit was in her account were more work than if they had just handed her a check.
When I sold my parents house, it was in a trust so apparently they legally couldn't do a direct deposit, check only. But when I went to the bank there was nobody there authorized to accept a deposit that big, so that was a hassle too in it's own way.
As I type this, I am in the final hours of a 3 week project replacing all the windows and siding on my house, and having the house painted. Contractors are cash, check or using their lender to finance it. No electronic payment option.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I'd make an appointment and go down to the local office and talk to someone in person, maybe they can help you cut the red tape but even if they can't your appointment is logged so it is noted you are doing your best to take care of things in a timely way.

 

[georgina]

As I type this, I am in the final hours of a 3 week project replacing all the windows and siding on my house, and having the house painted. Contractors are cash, check or using their lender to finance it. No electronic payment option.

Our neighborhood handyman takes Venmo! I used to write him a check until I finally got the Venmo app. He has worked on the townhouses in my community for 20+ years, knows them inside and out.

Thanks everyone! Sounds like no one actually received the letter. I found a way to go on IRS's website and submit a payment w/o creating an account. Initially when I filed my taxes, I did it through H&R Block software and just put that info into their website for the IRS to take out the money. I did not pay directly through IRS's website.

I was just leery going this route, as I thought what if I screwed up on taxes and don't owe what I anticipated. But the automated prompt on one of my calls it did confirm they tried to w/d the amount I showed I owed so I guess I'm 75% confident that's what I owe. If the payment doesn't go through by Weds, I guess I'll try spending Thurs figuring out yet again how to get an actual agent on the line.

Keep us updated, let us know how it turned out.

 

[longboard55]

My advice, just wait for the letter, it will probably take up to a year. You will get a small penalty. There is a good chance if you try to pay another way they will lose it and still bill you for it. There is also a good chance they will never figure out you owe. The IRS does its best but is way understaffed.