How do I send the IRS $5 for a 1040 NR filing?
I'm a New Zealander currently living back in New Zealand and I think I'm finally wrapping up my US tax obligations (hopefully forever). Just finished manually completing my 1040-NR and discovered I owe the grand total of $7 to the IRS. The problem is I have no idea how to actually pay this tiny amount from overseas. I've looked at various online payment options but they all seem geared toward US citizens filing regular 1040 forms, not the 1040-NR for non-residents. Can I just mail a check with my tax return? Do they even accept foreign checks? Would it be ridiculous to tape a $10 bill to the form? I feel silly owing such a small amount but I definitely don't want issues with the IRS over $7! EDIT: Figured it out! Used IRS Direct Pay with my NZ bank account. You need to verify your identity using previous tax returns - my 2022 return didn't work but when I tried my 2019 info it went through fine. Just putting this here in case any other internationals have the same issue.
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Kylo Ren
For small amounts on a 1040-NR, you have several options! The IRS does accept checks mailed with your return, but they should be in US dollars drawn on a US bank to avoid conversion issues. Never send cash! For international filers, IRS Direct Pay is actually the easiest option when it works, so good job figuring that out! Another option is to use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), though it requires enrollment which takes about a week. If you're planning to visit the US soon, you could also pay at a retail partner like 7-Eleven using the IRS2Go app and a payment code.
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Nina Fitzgerald
•Couldn't they also do a wire transfer? I had to do that when I lived in Germany, but admittedly it was for a larger amount (around $2k). For just $7 the fees might be more than the actual tax bill lol
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Kylo Ren
•Yes, international wire transfers are definitely an option, but as you mentioned, the fees usually make this impractical for small amounts. Most banks charge $30-50 for international wires, which would be ridiculous for a $7 tax bill! For small amounts, Direct Pay is usually the best option as it has no fees when linked to a US bank account. Some foreign banks work too, but it can be hit or miss depending on the country and specific bank.
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Jason Brewer
After struggling with almost the exact same situation (owed $12 on my 1040-NR from Canada), I found this amazing tool called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that saved me tons of confusion. It actually analyzes your specific international tax situation and gives you personalized options for making payments to the IRS based on your country! It showed me step-by-step how to use Direct Pay with my Canadian bank account when other methods weren't working. The tool even explained which previous tax year information would likely work for verification (had to try 2019 instead of 2022, just like you discovered).
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Kiara Fisherman
•Does it work for other forms too? I'm filing FBAR and wondering if I could use it to check if I'm doing everything correctly. Those penalties are scary!
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Liam Cortez
•I'm a bit skeptical about using third party tools for IRS payments... how do you know it's secure? Do they actually handle the payment or just guide you?
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Jason Brewer
•It definitely works with FBAR requirements too! The tool has specific sections for foreign account reporting and tells you exactly what thresholds apply to your situation and how to report properly. It's super helpful for avoiding those massive FBAR penalties. The tool never handles your actual payment information - it just guides you through the official IRS channels. It analyzes your specific situation and tells you which IRS payment methods will work for your country, filing status, and form type. Everything is encrypted and they don't store your tax details after analysis.
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Kiara Fisherman
Just wanted to update that I tried taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here and it was exactly what I needed! I was filing from Singapore with a similar small balance due on my 1040-NR and wasn't sure how to pay. The tool immediately identified that my Singapore bank could work with Direct Pay but I needed to use my 2018 return info for verification instead of more recent years. Saved me so much confusion and unnecessary fees - thanks for the recommendation!
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Savannah Vin
If you're struggling to get IRS Direct Pay to work with international banks (it can be finicky!), I'd recommend Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in the same boat with a 1040-NR from the UK and couldn't get verification to work. I used Claimyr to actually speak with an IRS agent who guided me through an alternative payment process. They got me past the crazy hold times (was quoted 2+ hours but got through in 10 minutes). You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The agent told me a payment method that wasn't even listed on the website that worked perfectly for my UK bank. Would never have figured it out otherwise!
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Mason Stone
•How does this actually work? Do they somehow jump the queue for IRS phone lines? Sounds too good to be true considering I've spent literal hours on hold before.
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Makayla Shoemaker
•Yeah right. Nothing gets you through to the IRS faster. This sounds like a scam to get people's info. The IRS phone system is equally terrible for everyone.
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Savannah Vin
•They use an automated system that navigates the IRS phone tree and holds your place in line so you don't have to. When an agent is about to pick up, you get a call back. It's basically the same as if you called and waited yourself, but their system does the waiting instead of you. It's definitely not a scam - they don't ask for any tax information at all. They just connect you directly to the IRS when an agent is available. I was skeptical too until I tried it, but it saved me from the 2+ hour wait times I kept experiencing trying to call myself.
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Makayla Shoemaker
I have to admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After posting my skeptical comment, I decided to try it myself since I was getting nowhere with my 1040-NR payment issue from Australia. It actually worked exactly as described - I got a call back in about 15 minutes instead of the 3 hours I spent on hold the day before. The IRS agent I spoke with walked me through a special payment process for Australian banks that wasn't clearly documented online. Problem solved in a single phone call! Still kind of amazed this service actually delivered what it promised.
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Christian Bierman
You could also consider using a US-based friend or family member's bank account if you have someone you trust. I did this when I moved back to France - my sister in the US made the payment for me through Direct Pay and I just sent her the money via TransferWise (now Wise).
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Emma Olsen
•Is that actually allowed by the IRS though? Wouldn't they want the payment to come from the person who owes the tax?
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Christian Bierman
•The IRS doesn't actually care who makes the payment as long as it's properly credited to your tax account. You just need to make sure the payment includes your name, tax ID number, form type (1040-NR), and tax year. This is common for married couples where one spouse pays both tax bills, parents paying for their kids, or employers paying for employees in some cases. The key is making sure the payment information correctly identifies whose tax account should be credited.
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Lucas Lindsey
A tip from someone who's been through this: if you owe less than $1, the IRS actually doesn't require you to pay it! They'll just write it off. For anything $1-$50, they technically require payment but I've never heard of anyone having issues if they don't pay tiny amounts.
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Sophie Duck
•This is terrible advice. The IRS absolutely tracks everything, even small amounts. My friend ignored a $12 balance and two years later got a notice with penalties and interest that had grown to over $40. Just pay what you owe.
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