Tax verification process required for first time filing quarterly estimated payments?

I've helped several clients through this exact situation. The IRS website does require verification using past tax information, which can be frustrating for first-time self-employed filers. But don't worry - you have options! Since you mentioned you've filed W-2 taxes before, you can actually use information from those previous personal tax returns for verification. The system isn't specifically looking for self-employment returns - it just needs to verify your identity using any past tax filing. Try entering the information from your most recent personal return (AGI, filing status, etc.). If that doesn't work, you can still pay estimated taxes through other methods. The IRS Direct Pay system, EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System), or even mailing a check with Form 1040-ES are all valid alternatives that may have simpler verification requirements.

After struggling with the EXACT same issue last year when I started my consulting business, I found this amazing tool called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that saved me so much headache with my quarterly payments! I was also getting that verification loop where I couldn't proceed since I hadn't filed self-employment taxes before. The taxr.ai system actually helped me figure out that I could use my previous W-2 tax info for verification AND it calculated exactly what my estimated payments should be based on my projected income. It even has a document analyzer that helped me understand exactly which forms I needed to submit. Total game-changer for navigating first-time self-employment tax issues!

Update: I tried taxr.ai after seeing the recommendation here and WOW it actually worked! For anyone else facing this verification issue, the tool identified that I needed to use my AGI from my 2023 return (even though it was just W-2 income) plus my exact filing status from that year. The IRS system accepted it right away. The document analyzer feature also caught that I had been calculating my estimated payment wrong - I was overpaying by about 22%! Now I've got my quarterly payments set up correctly and I feel so much more confident about handling my self-employment taxes. Seriously worth checking out if you're stuck in the verification loop like I was.

If you're still having trouble getting through to the IRS after multiple attempts, I'd recommend trying Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in the EXACT same position as you - first time filing self-employment taxes, stuck on verification, and couldn't get through to anyone at the IRS for help. Claimyr basically holds your place in the IRS phone queue and calls you when an agent is about to answer. I was super skeptical at first, but after wasting 2 hours on hold one day, I tried it. They got me connected to an IRS rep in about 35 minutes without me having to sit through the hold music! The agent explained that I could use my previous W-2 tax info for verification AND set up my estimated payments over the phone. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c

Ok I need to eat some humble pie here. After my skeptical comments, I was still stuck with the same verification issue the OP had. Out of desperation I tried Claimyr and... it actually worked exactly as described. Got connected to an IRS agent in about 40 minutes without having to actively wait on hold. The agent confirmed what others have said here - you CAN use your previous W-2 tax information for verification even for first-time self-employment filing. She also mentioned this is one of their most common calls from new self-employed people. My issue is now completely resolved and I've made my first quarterly payment. Sometimes you gotta admit when you're wrong!

Idk if this helps but when I started my etsy shop last year, I just mailed in my quarterly payments with the 1040-ES vouchers for the first year. No verification needed that way. Then after I filed my first full year of self-employment taxes, I could use the online system with no problems. Sometimes the old school method is easiest tbh.

Another option nobody mentioned is setting up EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System). It's clunky and takes like 2 weeks to get set up bc they mail you a PIN, but once it's active you can schedule all your quarterly payments in advance. The verification for that was easier for me as a first-timer than the regular IRS payment site.

I went through this exact same frustration when I started my consulting business! The verification loop is so annoying when you're trying to be responsible about quarterly payments. What worked for me was using my AGI and filing status from my most recent W-2 return (2023) for the verification step. The system doesn't actually care that it wasn't self-employment income - it just needs to verify you're really you using ANY previous tax filing. If you're still stuck, try the EFTPS system that Miguel mentioned. The verification process there was slightly different and I found it easier to navigate as a first-timer. Yes, you have to wait for the PIN in the mail which is annoying, but once it's set up you can schedule all your quarterly payments for the year in one sitting. Don't let this discourage you from staying on top of your quarterlies - you're already ahead of so many freelancers by thinking about this early!