We have not yet received our 2008 Estimated Tax vouchers from the IRS. We paid estimated taxes this past year and have always received them in the mail. Just don't remember when they are due to arrive.
Should we be concerned? Our SSNs are pre-printed on the forms, so we are concerned that perhaps they might get misdirected. Anybody know what the IRS timing on sending them out is?
Thanks in advance.
I saw an IRS release about ES vouchers within the last few days. It mentioned that they aren't going to send them to ________________. (Sorry, I can't remember the details.)
If you check the Newsroom at
From the latest E-News to subscribed tax professionals:
The IRS will discontinue mailing paper Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals, vouchers and envelopes to your ES clients who file electronically. ES filers who file a paper return will receive only one mailing instead of quarterly mailings. More information is on the Form 1040-ES instructions.
But here's where some people aren't too clear on what that means. By "filing electronically" they don't mean people who FILE 1040 returns electronically, but rather those people who are registered with EFTP and are already PAYING quarterly estimates that way.
ChEAr$, Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA
Harlan Lunsford wrote: [snip]
You are correct... and that is why the IRS says to look at the
1040-ES instructions where it tells you just what you said.
You guys must be reading a different version of 2008 Form 1040-ES instructions than the one I downloaded on March 9th, because there are some contradictions to what you state. Here's what it says on page 1:
"Preprinted vouchers. Because you are making estimated tax payments for
2008, estimated tax payment vouchers for 2009 will be sent to you preprinted with your name, address, and social security number, along with return envelopes and a copy of the instructions."TIP: If you do not want to receive the vouchers and envelopes, simply begin making your estimated tax payments electronically or file your return electronically." [note the last clause!!!]
The fact remains, multiple taxpayers have mentioned to me, corroborating the OP's comment, that they have not received the pre-printed forms they normally expect to receive based on years past, and they certainly did not sign up for the EFTPS, which requires explicit enrollment (and which is only one of three optional electronic payment options, the other two being credit card and ACH electronic funds withdrawal).
-Mark Bole
Litterally speaking, a 1040ES IS a return.
Of course if "they" don't bother to send my vouchers this year, I might not bother to send in estimated payments. (grin)
OR, I can write a letter to the commissioner requesting that he "take me off his mailing lists."! (grin
ChEAr$, Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA
Andy writes:
I had the same concern, and called the IRS . The person said that the vouchers had not been mailed yet, and should be mailed around
13 March.... I was also told that I could download the 1040ES form and instructions from the internet atIt is much easier to call the IRS and ask the question, than to get varied advice from a newsgroup. Just a suggestion.
Andy in Eureka, Texas
( Eureka -------... Birthplace of the World's Tallest Midget )
Especially now when the Service is beefing up phone answering staffing. ;-)
Per ABC News:
"The GAO will tell a House Ways and Means subcommittee this morning that the IRS estimates that shifting those hundreds of collection staff to TELEPHONES will result in an estimated REVENUE LOSS OF $681 MILLION."
That only works if you only call them once with the same question. Otherwise it isn't unknown to get conflicting answers from the IRS phone answers.
-Tom A man with one watch always knows exactly what time it is. A man with two is never quite sure.
I remember a study done a number of years ago, in which people would call the IRS with questions. Each question was asked six time (of different people answering the phone). For the most part researchers got six different answers to each question, and all of the answers (according to tax experts) were wrong.
Stu
Andy writes: I can't disagree with that... but it depends on the complexity of the question...
As to the question " My 1040ES hasn't arrived.... what should I do ? "
The IRS advice, to download the form, was exactly right. It took me all of five minutes to have everything in order for 2008. I didn't know the estimated tax forms were available for download, or what they were called.... ..... and I am surprised that none of the experts in this group who replied knew to give that advice to the questioner....
Sounds to me like the IRS is the only institution that may give out shallow answers, at times... :>))))
Andy in Eureka, Texas
I'd guess it would be more a difference between legal substance and procedure.
That's a procedural question, and that's the kind of thing the clerks deal with all the time. But if you ask about a complicated tax question that deals with income, deductions or the like, you're less likely to get the right answer.
The other thing you have to beware of. Say the IRS tells you something and you don't get it in writing. You realy on what they tell you, and as a result you underpay your taxes, so they charge you interest and penalties.
Well, the courts will uphold the assessment of both taxes and penalties. They say you should have known better than to rely on the IRS.
Stu
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