How do I pay IRS tax bill online without filing 1040 last year?
So I turned 18 recently and got this letter from the IRS saying I owe taxes, but I'm totally confused about how to actually pay it. I know exactly how much I owe from the letter, and I've already gotten my tax refund, but they never sent me an actual bill with payment instructions. I tried going online to make the payment, but the system keeps asking for info from a previous year's tax return which I don't have since this is my first time dealing with taxes on my own. I'm stuck! I've tried calling the IRS like 5 times but it's a complete nightmare. Either I'm on hold forever or they literally disconnect me after I've been waiting for 45 minutes. Super frustrating! Does anyone know how I can pay this online without having previous tax returns? Or is there some other way to pay that doesn't involve spending my whole day on hold? Really appreciate any help!
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Mateo Martinez
The IRS Direct Pay system can be tricky when you don't have previous tax returns. You have a few options: First, try using the IRS payment portal at https://www.irs.gov/payments. When it asks for verification from a previous return, select the option that says you don't have this information. They should provide an alternative verification method, usually involving personal information like your birthdate, address, etc. If that doesn't work, you can pay by mail with a check or money order. Make sure to write your Social Security number and the tax period on the payment. Include the payment voucher if one came with your letter (usually a form at the bottom of the notice). Another option is the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) at https://www.eftps.gov. It takes about a week to get set up though, so if your deadline is soon, this might not work.
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QuantumQueen
•Thank you so much but when I try to use Direct Pay and select "don't have this information" it still doesn't work for me. It says my identity can't be verified that way. Do I seriously have to mail a check? Is there any way to just pay with a debit card somewhere?
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Mateo Martinez
•Yes, you can definitely pay with a debit card! The IRS works with several payment processors that allow debit or credit card payments. Go to IRS.gov/payments and look for "Pay by Debit or Credit Card." There is a small processing fee (around $2-3 for debit cards), but it's immediate and you'll get confirmation right away. If you're still having issues with verification, another option is to create an ID.me account, which the IRS now uses for identity verification. This might help you access the payment systems without needing previous return information.
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Aisha Rahman
I was in literally the exact same situation last year after getting an unexpected tax notice. After trying everything and wasting hours on hold, I found this service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that was super helpful. They have this tool that scans your tax notices and explains exactly what you need to do. I just uploaded my letter, and they broke down what I owed, why I owed it, and gave me step-by-step instructions for how to pay without previous returns. They even had specific instructions for first-time taxpayers who don't have previous filing info. Saved me so much confusion since the IRS letters can be pretty cryptic.
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Ethan Wilson
•How does it work exactly? Like do I just take a pic of my tax letter and upload it? Is it secure? Kinda nervous about uploading tax docs to random websites tbh.
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Yuki Sato
•Sounds interesting but does it actually help with making the payment or just explains the letter? Because I understand what I owe, I just can't figure out HOW to pay it without previous returns to verify my identity.
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Aisha Rahman
•You just take a clear photo of your IRS notice or letter and upload it. They use secure encryption for all documents, so it's as safe as any tax service. They're serious about security and delete your docs after analysis if you want. It definitely helps with the payment part too. They give you specific instructions based on your situation - in my case, they provided alternative verification methods and links to exactly which payment option would work for me without previous returns. They even explained which personal info I needed to have ready for verification since I couldn't use last year's AGI.
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Yuki Sato
Just wanted to update after trying taxr.ai that someone suggested above. It actually worked! I uploaded my notice and got back detailed instructions specifically for first-time filers. The system told me to use the "Pay by Debit Card" option through one of the payment processors and exactly what info to use for verification since I didn't have previous returns. Just paid my tax bill using my debit card through one of the IRS approved processors. There was a small fee ($2.55) but totally worth it to get this done without more stress. Got a confirmation email right away and everything. Much easier than I expected after all that frustration!
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Carmen Flores
If you're still struggling to pay online and sick of getting disconnected when calling the IRS, try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in the same boat last year - kept getting hung up on after waiting forever. Someone recommended this service that basically holds your place in line with the IRS and calls you back when an agent is ready. I was super skeptical but watched their demo (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and decided to try it when I got disconnected for the 5th time. It actually worked! Got a call back in about 45 minutes with an IRS agent already on the line. The agent walked me through exactly how to pay without previous returns and gave me a special payment code to use online that bypassed the normal verification.
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Andre Dubois
•Wait this sounds too good to be true. How does it actually work? The IRS phone system is notoriously terrible so how does some random service get through when nobody else can?
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CyberSamurai
•Yeah right. I've been trying to call the IRS for weeks. No way this actually works. They probably just take your money and you still end up calling yourself eventually.
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Carmen Flores
•They use an automated system that navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold for you. Once a real human IRS agent answers, their system conferences you in so you're talking directly to the IRS. It's basically like having someone wait on hold for you. No scam at all - they only connect you with official IRS representatives. I was super skeptical too which is why I watched their demo first. But when you're desperate after being disconnected multiple times, it's worth trying. The IRS agent I spoke with explained there's a special verification process they can do over the phone for people without previous returns, which solved my exact problem.
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CyberSamurai
Holy crap I have to eat my words. I tried Claimyr after posting my skeptical comment and it actually worked. After weeks of trying to get through to the IRS myself and being on hold for literally hours, I got a call back in 37 minutes with an IRS agent already waiting. The agent verified my identity using my social security number and some personal questions (didn't need previous returns at all). They gave me a one-time payment link that bypassed the normal verification system. Paid my tax bill right after the call ended. Seriously wish I'd known about this weeks ago instead of wasting so many hours on hold and getting disconnected. If you're stuck with the same problem as the original poster, this is definitely the way to go.
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Zoe Alexopoulos
You can also try going to your local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center. You need to make an appointment first by calling 844-545-5640. When I had a similar issue last year, I finally just made an appointment and the person at the office helped me set up a payment plan on the spot. Took about 20 minutes once I was there. Just bring your ID and the letter showing what you owe.
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Jamal Carter
•Do they accept payments right there at the office? Or do they just help you figure out how to pay? My payment is due really soon and I'm getting nervous about penalties.
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Zoe Alexopoulos
•They don't actually accept payments directly at most locations, but they'll help you make the payment online while you're there. The IRS employee can bypass the normal verification requirements when you're in person with proper ID. They did this for me when I couldn't verify online. If your payment is due very soon, make sure to mention that when you call for an appointment. They sometimes have emergency slots for urgent cases. If you absolutely can't get an appointment before your due date, you might want to mail a check as a backup plan just to show you're trying to pay on time.
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Mei Liu
This may not be helpful after the fact, but for future reference if ur 18 and this is ur first time dealing with taxes, it's completely free to file ur taxes using several services if ur income is below like $73k. It's called "Free File" on the IRS website. I always use that and it saves the hassle of getting surprise letters later. The guided questions make it super easy and it keeps all ur records for next year.
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Liam O'Donnell
•Not to be that person but this doesn't actually help OP with their current problem of paying taxes without previous returns. They already know how much they owe, they just need to pay it.
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