Understanding Your Tax Preparation Charges and Payment Options after COVID-19 Deadline Changes

The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is having a huge impact on so many areas of our lives. Taxes are no exception. Now that the deadlines to file and pay your taxes have changed to July 15, 2020, you might be wondering: How do the COVID-19 tax deadline changes impact how I can pay for my taxes?

Well, we have a bit of good news for you. You still have all the same options to pay your taxes. Paying your tax preparation charges with your credit or debit card is a convenient option – just like other purchases you make online.

However, if you’d rather not pay your tax prep fees with a credit or debit card, you can pay nothing out of pocket if you choose our Refund Transfer option. This option is available on the same screen where you would choose your credit or debit card to pay your tax preparation charges.

If you choose Refund Transfer, your tax prep and related fees are deducted directly from your tax refund after your return is done.

Filing Online? Review Your Tax Payment Options

Once you’re ready to file your return, you can choose how you want to pay your federal or state balance due. You can pay your federal taxes by:

• Electronic funds withdrawal
• Credit or debit card
• Paper check
• Online payment through our authorized third-party provider, Pay1040. You can do this even if you previously indicated you’d send a paper check when you filed.

State payments vary, but we’ll make sure to walk you through your options when you reach that point in your return. Due to COVID-19, many states are also changing their payment and filing deadlines. To learn more, read our article about COVID-19 impacts on state deadlines.

If you want to request an installment payment option, just click the Federal tab, and then click Wrap-Up. Check the box labeled I’ll pay my federal balance due in installments (Form 9465) for instructions.

Payment options can’t be updated in the online product once your return is filed. If you filed your return and would like to change the payment date you selected for funds withdrawal, you’ll need to contact the IRS at 1-888-353-4537. They’re available 24/7 to discuss your payment options, including canceling a payment. The IRS recommends you wait 7 to 10 days after your return is accepted before calling. For state tax payments, contact your state’s taxing authority to discuss your options.

Seeing Tax Filing Charges on Your Card Twice?

You might see two H&R Block tax preparation charges show up on your credit or debit card account. If that happens, don’t panic. One is the actual payment, and the other is simply a hold for that tax filing charge that will drop off your credit or debit card account – you won’t be charged twice.