confused about EFTPS

When you use EFTPS to schedule your payments, you no longer have to mail the applicable forms or vouchers.

Thanks much for responding. I figure there must be a limit to this though, because obviously you can't just EFTPS a payment of tax due on your final 1040, without actually filing the 1040.

I was merely referring to your specific question on estimated payments and an extension. My answer was not meant to be universal. You can pay the amount due 4/15 on your 1040 via EFTPS but you still have to file the return. I stopped using EFTPS when I discovered that I could schedule electronic withdrawals for my annual tax due and estimated tax payments with my e-filed annual tax return.

I'm not an expert, but the instructions for form 4868 say that there are three ways to apply for extension. (1) efile, (2) pay with a credit card, or (3) file a paper form. Simply making a payment using EFTPS doesn't seem to fall into any of the three. Absent someone being able to point at chapter and verse saying that just paying on EFTPS is okay, I'd play safe and paper file entering 0 on line 7 (and because I'm paranoid I'd use some date verifiable method of mailing). Or (as I once did) it might be cheaper to use option 2, pay the service fees, and pay a buck.

For payment vouchers like 1040ES and 1040V, you don't need to paper file if you are using EFTPS.

WIll

But Will says:

So we seem agreed that no separate paper or e-file is required when making estimated-tax payments at EFTPS, but there seems to be no consensus on whether simply making an EFTPS payment for an extension suffices (or whether Form 4868 must be filed).

I called EFTPS, and they just say "you must ask the IRS". After waiting 15 min for an IRS person, all they could do was to read the instructions by rote, which I'm browsed online with no clear answer. It's kinda ridiculous.

I contacted EFTPS: You must send the 4868 to the IRS service center. As many states piggyback off the 4868, filing the form will cover both federal and state extensions for applicable states.