Electronic payment of federal estimates for an individual return in Lacerte

Federal estimates can only be paid with the e-filed 1040 returns. The estimate vouchers must be mailed for paper-filed returns.

Before you start:

• You can pay federal estimates electronically in Lacertefor Individual (Form 1040) returns.
• This feature is only available for electronically filed returns and must be set up before you transmit the return.
• The setup details are automatically included in the client letter. Federal estimated tax payments will be directly withdrawn from your bank account based on the estimated tax payment schedule for tax year 2025.

For information on applying the One Big Beautiful Act provisions to tax year 2024 estimates see here, check out our Tax topics page on Estimated Tax payments where you'll find answers to the most commonly asked questions.

Disaster area tax relief available:

Filing deadlines and estimated tax due dates may be extended for taxpayers in parts of Arkansas, California, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia, and IRS for taxpayers living abroad. See here for more details.

To set up federal estimates electronically:

1. Go to Screen 3, Miscellaneous Information/Direct Deposit.
2. In the left pane, select Direct Deposit of Refund/Electronic Payment.
3. Select the box, Electronic payment of estimated tax.
4. Enter the bank account information in the Financial Institution subsection.

Additional information

• The federal estimate payment information will be sent when you e-file the federal return. The estimate payment information isn't included with the filing of the extension.
• The E-File Estimated Payments Wizard available in the e-file menu is only available for select federal and state returns. For a complete list refer to Using the E-file Estimated Payment Wizard in Lacerte.

Checking or canceling an electronic payment

Lacerte doesn’t track electronic estimated tax payments after submission.

1. Wait 7–10 days after your return has been accepted.
2. Call the IRS e-file Payment Services at 1-888-353-4537 to verify or cancel a payment.
3. For more details, see the IRS Pay Taxes by Electronic Funds Withdrawal page under the Cancelation, Errors, and Questions section.