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January 23, 2005 06:28 AM

Your Online Tax-Paying Options


Excerpt: Leading the way is the federal agency that has the most direct contact with working Americans: the Internal Revenue Service. Last year, nearly 62 million taxpayers filed electronically, many because they were due refunds that were processed more quickly because their tax data was sent online.

   

Consumers are increasingly comfortable with online bill paying. So it's no surprise that Uncle Sam also wants to cash in on electronic money-moving.

Leading the way is the federal agency that has the most direct contact with working Americans: the Internal Revenue Service. Last year, nearly 62 million taxpayers filed electronically, many because they were due refunds that were processed more quickly because their tax data was sent online.

Now the IRS is working to convince taxpayers that they, too, should go the electronic route when it comes to paying up. The agency has entered into partnerships with the private sector, including the banking industry, tax software developers and credit card processors, to make tax e-payments more appealing.

Here are the ways you can electronically move your money into the U.S. Treasury:

Electronic funds withdrawal
Individuals who file via computer, either on their own or with the help of a paid preparer, can use electronic funds withdrawal, or EFW. This basically is the reverse of the direct deposit that the IRS recommends for those getting refunds. EFW also is available to those who file by phone via IRS TeleFile.

When you get to the end of your computer or phone tax filing chores and find you owe, EFW will be one of your payment choices. Have your checkbook handy -- not to write one, but to enter some account numbers that the IRS wants. You'll be asked for your personal account number, what type of account it is (savings or checking), and the financial institution's routing number.

If you don't know which set of numerals is the routing number, check with your bank before you e-file -- especially if you're planning to file (and pay) late on April 15. At 11:50 p.m. that day, there won't be anyone at the bank branch to answer your call for help.

In most instances, electronic funds withdrawal is free. But when you call about the routing number, it wouldn't hurt to confirm that your bank or credit union does indeed allow such transfers at no cost.

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