November 3 or no??

[Corduroy Frog]

For this year only, Tennessee has been told they have until November 3rd to file, pay, pay estimated taxes, whatever.

A return I completed owes $35,000 (not the real number) and client wants to pay it October 15.

Drake won't allow it.  Their message says April 15 is the last acceptable date, and goes on to say that this is true even for states with disaster declarations.

I've second-guessed Drake before and I'm usually wrong, but I'm wondering if they've updated properly.

[TexTaxToo]

The MeF (efile) system will not allow future direct debits to be scheduled after April 15 when efiling a return.  The IRS does not modify it for postponements due to disaster declarations.  I believe the taxpayer can still schedule future payments using Direct Pay or EFTPS at  https://www.irs.gov/payments

[Catherine]

TexTaxToo is correct, and you are correct, Corduroy Frog. 

You do have until the later date. But Drake won't allow scheduling payment after the *current* date if that date is after 4/15. The only way to pay later, electronically, is by doing so online via Direct Pay or EFTPS. Or, your client can mail a check to arrive by the date they want to pay. The IRS is very quick about cashing checks; it's about the only thing left that they handle expeditiously. 

[Gail in Virginia]

26 minutes ago, Catherine said:

TexTaxToo is correct, and you are correct, Corduroy Frog. 

You do have until the later date. But Drake won't allow scheduling payment after the *current* date if that date is after 4/15. The only way to pay later, electronically, is by doing so online via Direct Pay or EFTPS. Or, your client can mail a check to arrive by the date they want to pay. The IRS is very quick about cashing checks; it's about the only thing left that they handle expeditiously. 

I think the reason checks are cashed expeditiously is that the IRS does not do it.  They contract it to a lockbox service that opens the mail, deposits the checks and sends the IRS a report.  I might be wrong, but that was my understanding. 

[Lee B]

46 minutes ago, Gail in Virginia said:

I think the reason checks are cashed expeditiously is that the IRS does not do it.  They contract it to a lockbox service that opens the mail, deposits the checks and sends the IRS a report.  I might be wrong, but that was my understanding. 

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p3891.pdf

[BulldogTom]

20 hours ago, Corduroy Frog said:

For this year only, Tennessee has been told they have until November 3rd to file, pay, pay estimated taxes, whatever.

A return I completed owes $35,000 (not the real number) and client wants to pay it October 15.

Drake won't allow it.  Their message says April 15 is the last acceptable date, and goes on to say that this is true even for states with disaster declarations.

I've second-guessed Drake before and I'm usually wrong, but I'm wondering if they've updated properly.

If your client wants to pay on Oct 15th, you could hold the return and file on that date.   The funds will be withdrawn within about 2 business days.

ATX has the same issue as Drake, you can't go out even 1 day.   I filed a return a few weeks ago after the end of the banking day, so smart me I put in the next day as the bank withdrawal date.   REJECTED.   Even at 10PM.  It is just the rule that if you owe and you efile and you want the direct debit option you pay immediately...but I don't have a source for that rule.

Tom
Longview, TX

[Corduroy Frog]

Sounds like Drake (and ATX also) are not the problem, but the IRS itself won't allow direct withdrawal after April 15, even if they have extended the due date.

Doesn't make sense.  I think my client wants to pay on October 15th, so I'll just send him a voucher and he can send in a check any time he wants.

Thanks to all -  

[Lion EA]

Send him to IRS DirectPay so he can get a payment confirmation:  https://www.irs.gov/payments

 

[Lee B]

11 hours ago, Corduroy Frog said:

 

Doesn't make sense.  I think my client wants to pay on October 15th, so I'll just send him a voucher and he can send in a check any time he wants.

Thanks to all -  

Don't forget the new administration plans to stop mailing refund checks September 30th and to stop accepting payments by check then or shortly thereafter.

[Sara EA]

UltraTax also doesn't allow payments to be scheduled after the filing date after April 15, so it must be an IRS thing.  You can schedule a payment date on DirectPay.  Note that you can only schedule a payment no more than 365 days in advance and for no more than $10 million!

[Lee B]

Does anyone or their clients use the mobile app IRS2Go to make payments?

[Corduroy Frog]

On 6/12/2025 at 9:41 AM, Lee B said:

Don't forget the new administration plans to stop mailing refund checks September 30th and to stop accepting payments by check then or shortly thereafter.

Millions of taxpayers will pay in their own manner and the IRS will have more problems on their hand to chase them down.  Some people will revolt.

[mcb39]

We started advising our clients months ago about this change and, surprisingly, some of them already knew about it.  Why make things harder on ourselves by not steering our clients in the right direction?  I have never been in favor of paper checks and especially now with the erratic service of the Postal Service.

[Corduroy Frog]

mcb:  [I have never been in favor of paper checks]. 

Understand.  But there are options to commerce, and the powers that be want to force you (kicking and screaming) into the electronic age, and removing conventional options.  How do you like the new pressure for things like "Let your bill pay itself" wanting you to allow XYZ to suck the $$ out of your bank account  before you ever see it?  Or telephone menus instead of a live person??  

A.I. is just around the corner, and just wait until it is running the entire economy when you will have only one fiddler to pay.

  

[mcb39]

I am already dealing with late fees because paper checks never seem to get there on time.  I hope that I never have to deal with Direct Withdrawals, but am perfectly willing to pay online if possible.  I do, however, feel very sorry for the folks who do not have the knowledge or technical ability that I have.  I have many clients who don't even own a computer, let alone know how to operate one.  I try to assist them as much as is humanly possible.  How far are they going to try and push us and how far are we willing to be pushed?  Hopefully, humans will always remain superior to A.I.

[Abby Normal]

Did someone say AI?

[Abby Normal]

You don't need a computer to send or receive funds electronically, you just need a bank account. With DOGE endangering all of our personal information, I recommend setting up a small balance account at a different bank to receive or pay fund electronically. Then you transfer money to or from that account as needed. That way your real bank info is not out there.

[Corduroy Frog]

Great Idea Mr. Normal