Confused about how to pay after getting tax extension approved

I got my tax extension approved by the IRS just a couple days ago - they approved it right away. The issue I'm having now is I have no idea how much I need to pay or even how to make the payments. When I log into the IRS website, there's no balance showing up at all. I was expecting them to email me details about the payment plan but I haven't received anything. Every time I try calling, I just get the "high call volume" message and can't get through to anyone. I'm getting really anxious since the tax deadline is coming up fast. I definitely want to pay what I owe, but I'm completely in the dark about how to do it. I've already submitted my tax return and I owe around $28k, which is why I applied for an extension with a payment plan in the first place. Any help on what I should do next would be appreciated!

0 coins

18 comments

Sophia Carter

•8M

The IRS extension (Form 4868) only gives you more time to file your return, not more time to pay what you owe. If you've already filed your return, you don't actually need the extension anymore - that's only for people who haven't filed yet. It sounds like what you really applied for was an installment agreement (payment plan), not just an extension. The IRS typically sends payment plan details by regular mail, not email, which is why you haven't received an electronic notification. It can take 2-3 weeks for this information to arrive. In the meantime, you should make your first payment by the tax deadline to avoid additional penalties and interest. You can use the IRS Direct Pay system (https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay) and select "installment agreement" as the reason for payment. If you know how much your monthly payment should be based on what you requested, go ahead and pay that amount. If you don't know the monthly amount, consider making a partial payment of whatever you can afford now, and then adjust once you receive the official payment plan details in the mail.

0 coins

Sophia Carter

•8M

The IRS payment systems will correctly apply your payment to your tax debt regardless of whether your installment plan is fully processed. Just be sure to select the correct tax year and payment reason (installment agreement) when making the payment. Making a payment early won't mess anything up - in fact, it's beneficial since it reduces the amount you'll pay in penalties and interest over time. The IRS charges interest on the unpaid balance, so reducing that balance as soon as possible saves you money.

0 coins

Brandon Parker

•8M

I went through something similar last year and found taxr.ai really helpful for sorting through the confusion. I was totally lost on how my extension and payment plan were supposed to work together, and the IRS website wasn't clear at all. I uploaded my tax docs and extension confirmation to https://taxr.ai and they explained exactly what was happening with my account. They showed me that my extension was processed but my payment plan was still pending (even though the IRS had "approved" my submission). They pointed out which notices to watch for in my mail and gave me a timeline for when everything would be finalized. Their system even flagged that I'd filed both an extension and a complete return, which was causing some of the confusion in my account. Might be worth checking out if you're still confused after trying the Direct Pay option.

0 coins

Brandon Parker

•8M

They don't connect to your IRS account at all - you just upload whatever documents you have (your extension confirmation, tax return, any IRS notices) and they analyze those. It's completely document-based, so your actual IRS account remains secure. I understand being skeptical. I was in a really stressful situation with a much larger tax bill than I expected, and their analysis helped me understand exactly what was happening with my account without having to wait on hold with the IRS for hours. They have different options depending on what you need, but for me the peace of mind was worth it.

0 coins

Jace Caspullo

•8M

I was really unsure about trying another service but I'm glad I gave taxr.ai a shot. Uploaded my extension confirmation and most recent tax transcript, and wow - they showed me that my payment plan application was still being processed even though my extension was approved (exactly what happened to the original poster). They explained that the IRS processes these as two separate requests, which is why my account wasn't showing a balance or payment details yet. Their timeline showed I should expect payment plan details in about 10 more days, and they were spot on. Would have saved myself a lot of stress if I'd known this earlier!

0 coins

Melody Miles

•8M

If you're struggling to get through to the IRS, I highly recommend Claimyr. I was in the exact same boat last year - owed about $30k, got my extension approved but couldn't figure out my payment plan details, and kept hitting the "high call volume" wall. I found https://claimyr.com and it completely changed the game. They basically hold your place in the IRS phone queue and call you back when an agent is about to answer. I was skeptical at first, but you can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I got through to an IRS agent in under an hour (after trying for DAYS on my own), and they explained that my payment plan was still being processed even though my extension was approved right away. The agent was able to tell me exactly what to do while waiting for the official paperwork.

0 coins

Melody Miles

•8M

They don't have special access - they use a combination of automated systems that continually redial the IRS using their algorithm to identify the best times to call. It's essentially like having someone repeatedly call for you, but with smart technology that knows the optimal patterns. They don't skip the line - they just wait in it for you, which is why it's so valuable. Instead of you wasting hours with your phone on speaker hoping to get through, their system does the waiting and only calls you when an agent is about to pick up. I was super skeptical too, but when I got that call back and was connected to an actual IRS agent after days of failing on my own, I was completely sold.

0 coins

Eva St. Cyr

•8M

I'm eating my words right now. After posting that skeptical comment, I was desperate enough to try Claimyr because my situation was so similar - extension approved but no payment details. I figured I'd give it a shot since nothing else was working. Shockingly, I got a call back in about 45 minutes saying they had an IRS agent on the line! The agent confirmed that my payment plan was still processing (could take up to 30 days) but helped me set up a partial payment in the meantime to avoid additional penalties. She even gave me a confirmation number I could reference if there were any issues later. Would have spent hours (or days) trying to get this info on my own. Definitely recommend for anyone in this situation.

0 coins

Kristian Bishop

•8M

Something nobody's mentioned yet - if you owe $28k, make sure you're aware of the different payment plan options. For amounts over $25k, you typically need to provide additional financial information and the approval process takes longer. If you can get your balance under $25k (by making a partial payment), you can qualify for a streamlined installment agreement which is much faster to set up. Just something to consider while you're waiting for the official details.

0 coins

Kristian Bishop

•8M

Making a payment to get under the $25k threshold would definitely help speed things up. The streamlined process is much simpler and typically processes faster. It won't complicate your existing application - the IRS will just see that you've made a payment and recalculate your plan based on the new balance. Just make sure you use Direct Pay on the IRS website and select the correct tax year and reason for payment (installment agreement request). A $3k payment now would also save you quite a bit in penalties and interest over time.

0 coins