Filed my taxes right before IRS efile system went down for maintenance - now what?

The IRS will still process your return even though the e-file system is temporarily down for maintenance. They have separate systems for accepting returns versus processing them, so yours should still be in their queue. About the payment plan - I'd recommend waiting until your return shows up in the system before applying. Usually, returns get processed in 2-3 weeks, though there can be delays during busy periods. If you apply for a payment plan before your return is processed, it might cause confusion as the system won't have a record of what you owe yet. For your quarterly payment question - yes, the IRS will automatically account for any estimated tax payments you've made when calculating your final amount due. The payment you made in April 2023 is already in their system and linked to your tax ID. You won't need to do anything special for them to recognize this payment.

I was in a similar situation last year with the e-file timing, and I found a tool that helped me figure out my options with payment plans and potential penalties. Check out https://taxr.ai - they have a document analyzer that can look at your return and show you exactly what payment plan options you qualify for based on your specific situation. I was able to upload my draft tax forms and get clear guidance on whether I should do a short-term plan (120 days) or longer installment agreement. The system also flagged that I had made a quarterly payment I'd forgotten about, similar to your situation, and showed me how to account for it properly. Saved me from overpaying and then having to deal with getting a refund later.

I tried https://taxr.ai after seeing it recommended here and it was incredibly helpful! My return was stuck in limbo after filing right before a system update, and I couldn't get clear answers from the IRS website about my payment options. The document analyzer immediately identified that I had made partial estimated payments and calculated the correct remaining balance. It also showed me that based on my income and amount owed, I could qualify for a 72-month payment plan with payments of about $140/month instead of the standard 36-month plan the IRS initially suggests. This was a huge relief as it made the monthly payments much more manageable. The guidance on timing my payment plan application was particularly useful - it recommended waiting until the return appeared in the system but provided a specific timeline to ensure I didn't miss any penalty deadlines. Definitely worth checking out if you're trying to navigate the payment plan options.

If you're having trouble getting through to the IRS to check on your return status or payment plan options, I'd recommend using https://claimyr.com - I was in the exact same boat last year and spent days trying to get through on the IRS lines with no luck. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c They basically hold your place in the IRS phone queue and call you when an agent is about to pick up. I was able to speak directly with an IRS representative who confirmed my return was in the system even though it wasn't showing online yet, and they helped me set up my payment plan over the phone. Saved me hours of hold music and frustration.

I need to publicly eat my words about https://claimyr.com from my earlier comment. After continuing to fail getting through to the IRS on my own for two more days, I broke down and tried it yesterday. Within 45 minutes, I got a call back and was connected directly to an IRS representative who actually helped me! They confirmed my return was in their system despite not showing up online yet, and I was able to set up a payment plan over the phone instead of waiting for online access. The agent even helped me account for a quarterly payment I'd forgotten about, which reduced my amount due by almost $1,200. For anyone in a similar situation with the e-file maintenance issues - don't waste days on hold like I did. Having a live conversation with an IRS agent resolved in minutes what I'd been stressing about for weeks.

Don't stress too much about the timing. I file last minute every year (bad habit, I know). One thing to keep in mind that nobody mentioned yet - if you're setting up a payment plan and this is your first time needing one, you might qualify for first-time penalty abatement. This could save you some money on the failure-to-pay penalties. Also, make sure you still pay as much as you can by the filing deadline even while waiting for the payment plan to be established. This reduces the amount that will accrue interest and penalties moving forward.

Anyone know if the IRS will send a confirmation email once they process a return submitted right before maintenance? I filed mine last week and still haven't gotten anything.