1st Time Estimated Taxpayer: Filing Docs?

[Trooper]

Hi...Tax year 2017 is the first year we are required to make estimated tax payments. I Just made our 4th quarter one today.

I read IRS Pub 505, but it wasn't clear as to whether I will receive documentation from the IRS as to the amount of my payments prior to filing our taxes. I make our payments through EFTPS, so I guess that site could substantiate the payments, but wondering if we should expect something in the mail from the IRS.

Thanks.

 

[MichaelB]

No statement that I'm aware of.

 

[arky]

I've being paying estimated taxes for ten years now (use EFTPS) and have never received a statement. I do, however, save the payment receipts that EFTPS provides.

 

[Alan]

I've being paying estimated taxes for ten years now (use EFTPS) and have never received a statement. I do, however, save the payment receipts that EPTPS provides.

Exactly what I do.

 

[pb4uski]

+1 your proof of payment is your cancelled check or your bank statement.

 

[RunningBum]

+1 to all the above. I always logon to EFTPS and my state online tax center when I'm doing my taxes, to verify what I've already paid.

 

[FUEGO]

I pay online (just did it today in fact ). I save a pdf copy of the payment receipts to my "2017 Taxes" folder on google drive to substantiate the fact that I paid the taxes.

 

[Trooper]

Thanks everyone. I maintain a spreadsheet with the dates and amounts of the payments, along with the confirmation numbers that are provided by EFTPS and my state tax efile system.

 

[gerntz]

Hi...Tax year 2017 is the first year we are required to make estimated tax payments. I Just made our 4th quarter one today.

They could be necessary for you, but not everyone. IRA withdrawals can be used to pay taxes instead without doing quarterlies. Going on 7 years now.

 

[Cobra9777]

I started estimated payments in 2015 and use the newer IRS Direct Pay system. I get an immediate email confirmation of payment and just file a copy in the current year tax file along with other tax records. Of course, it's also stored in the Excel file I use to calculate each quarterly payment.

 

[Sunset]

I started estimated payments in 2015 and use the newer IRS Direct Pay system. I get an immediate email confirmation of payment and just file a copy in the current year tax file along with other tax records. Of course, it's also stored in the Excel file I use to calculate each quarterly payment.

Same here, except I take a screenshot as well and save it in the current tax year directory.

Do the same for my State.

 

[audreyh1]

Hi...Tax year 2017 is the first year we are required to make estimated tax payments. I Just made our 4th quarter one today.

I read IRS Pub 505, but it wasn't clear as to whether I will receive documentation from the IRS as to the amount of my payments prior to filing our taxes. I make our payments through EFTPS, so I guess that site could substantiate the payments, but wondering if we should expect something in the mail from the IRS.

Thanks.

Nope - nada.

EFTPS confirmations and history is the only way I know other than your own meticulous records.

I assume the IRS will eventually let you know if they disagree.

 

[scrabbler1]

I have been making estimated payments off and on since the late 1990s, when my investment income began rising and I was not in the "safe harbor" all the time without it. I has been only the last few years I began making the payments electronically for both federal and state, but only in the 4th quarter. I get electronic confirmations which I print out for my records, and I see the transaction on my bank statement and through my online banking. I also enter it on the worksheet which is part of the paper version of the estimated tax payment forms.


In my personal spreadsheet such as the one I have which mimics a checkbook register, the payment amount is linked to a skeleton version of my income tax forms elsewhere in the spreadsheet.

 

[Gotadimple]

I just logged into the EFTPS website, because I was sure that I could go back in and see a history of payments. A new service has been added: email confirmation. Here's the message on the main screen. Email includes reminder emails and confirmation emails. So I signed up.

Email notifications are now available from EFTPS. EFTPS will send you an email when you schedule a payment in EFTPS or when your payment status changes. To sign up to begin receiving emails click Email Address Management

But to get back to how to see a history of payments. After you log in, click the Payments menu (across the top), then click Check Payment History (left side menu). You can then see a payment history over the last 30 days to 16 months (selectable).

- Rita

 

[Islandtraveler]

Good thing I read this thread. I forgot to make my payment.