How and When to Make Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments, Pay Online

As a reminder, the U.S. tax system operates on a pay-as-you-go basis. For estimated tax purposes, a year has four payment periods. Taxpayers must make a payment each quarter. For most people, the due date for the first quarterly payment is April 15. The following payments are due June 15 and Sept. 15, with the last quarter’s payment due on Jan. 15 of the following year. If these dates fall on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is the next business day.

AAFCPAs has provided for your convenience details of how to easily make these payments to the IRS and Massachusetts online:

Internal Revenue Services

Option 1: EFTPS payment system

• Link: https://www.eftps.gov/eftps/login/loginInitial
• Enroll and create login credentials.
• This will allow you to pay online and provide access to your payment history.

IRS Option 2: IRS Direct Pay

• Link: https://directpay.irs.gov/directpay/payment?execution=e1s1
• Select “estimated tax” as your “reason for payment.” Other information should populate appropriately.
• Next pages ask for personal information and payment information.
• You will receive a payment confirmation via email once complete.

Massachusetts Department of Revenue

Option 1: Create a MassTaxConnect (MTC) Account

• Link: https://mtc.dor.state.ma.us/mtc/_/#2
• Click “sign up” and register for an account.
• You will have access to a dashboard, similar to EFTPS, where you may access payment history and pay online.

Option 2: Quick Payment via MassTaxConnect (MTC) Account

• Link: https://mtc.dor.state.ma.us/mtc/_/#2
• Find “make a payment” under “Quick Links” on the left of the page.
• Enter information as requested. Make sure you select “Estimated Payment” as Payment type.
• Enter payment info; email is sent to the email you specify on final step.

If a taxpayer does not pay enough or pays late, a penalty may apply. Taxpayers may make payments more often than quarterly. They just need to pay each period’s total by the end of the quarter.

If you have any questions, please contact Tyler Champagne, CPA, MSA, Tax Manager at 774.512.9012, tchampagne@aafcpa.com or your AAFCPAs Tax Partner.