Finding Out Estimated Payments

[RNuse09]

Is there anywhere I can go online to find out how much was paid in estimated payments. I was hoping for something automated or online to save time. I also was wondering if there is anywhere I could go for pa estimated payments. I appreciate the help!

[Jiggers]

I think you can use IRS e-Services to obtain that information. But that requires a POA.

[RNuse09]

Thanks

I was hoping for a phone number. I will look into e-services.

[Jiggers]

I was hoping for a phone number. I will look into e-services.

You would still have to have a POA with a phone number.

[KBTS]

Is there anywhere I can go online to find out how much was paid in estimated payments. I was hoping for something automated or online to save time. I also was wondering if there is anywhere I could go for pa estimated payments. I appreciate the help!

If this is for a client, why not make them call for the information? You will not need the POA and you would not waste your time waiting on hold for information the taxpayer is responsible for knowing.

That being said, sometimes your regional PA Dept of Revenue office can be a bit more lenient on giving out information without a POA. It helps if you have a contact person there who knows you.

[Golden Rocket]

Client Records?

If this is for a client, why are we even having this discussion?

Are you telling us that a client doesn't know how much he has paid in, and wants YOU to find out for him? I would tell him I would try to find out for $100/hr. I'll bet he somehow can find his records.

This one belongs on Rita's list she calls from the old TV show "That's Incredible."

[Jiggers]

If this is for a client, why are we even having this discussion?

Are you telling us that a client doesn't know how much he has paid in, and wants YOU to find out for him? I would tell him I would try to find out for $100/hr. I'll bet he somehow can find his records.

This one belongs on Rita's list she calls from the old TV show "That's Incredible."

Hey, I send reminders to some of my clients. They are charged for this service.

Some clients really don't keep track of their estimates. Some get confused about the 1/15 payment for the prior year. They give me a total for 2011 and it doesn't match what I set up because they include 1/15/11, 4/15/11, 6/15/11, and 9/15/11. Not the 1/15/12.

Some clients are elderly and others have CRS disease.

It would be nice to have the IRS set up a system similar to checking on their refund without a POA.

One year I used the estimates that I set up for a client. Luckily the client reviewed the return in detail and told me that he didn't make the estimates and thought that my computer knew that. Duh.

[taxea]

and it all depends on what year you want them for...e-services may not have the current tax year posted yet.
I know that unless they have recently changed their instructions you can't get the current year (2011) income untill the summer.

[Burke]

Some clients are elderly and others have CRS disease.

One year I used the estimates that I set up for a client. Luckily the client reviewed the return in detail and told me that he didn't make the estimates and thought that my computer knew that. Duh.

CRS = Can't remember something? LOL. I guess your other client thought your computer was a direct line into the IRS data base..... If only.

[taxea]

Hey, I send reminders to some of my clients. They are charged for this service.

Some clients really don't keep track of their estimates. Some get confused about the 1/15 payment for the prior year. They give me a total for 2011 and it doesn't match what I set up because they include 1/15/11, 4/15/11, 6/15/11, and 9/15/11. Not the 1/15/12.

Some clients are elderly and others have CRS disease.

It would be nice to have the IRS set up a system similar to checking on their refund without a POA.

One year I used the estimates that I set up for a client. Luckily the client reviewed the return in detail and told me that he didn't make the estimates and thought that my computer knew that. Duh.

Jiggers...the rule here is "never assume".
Also the 1/15/11 should have appeared on the prior year estimates return

[Jiggers]

Jiggers...the rule here is "never assume".
Also the 1/15/11 should have appeared on the prior year estimates return

I know. But some of my clients think the "cash basis" means including the 1/15/11 estimate on their 2011 return and not on the 2011.

[taxea]

Jiggers...thats why they have you to eliminate it from the tax prep.

[oceanlovin'ea]

how to tell

A good way to tell if the client has given you the prior year's January payment is by looking at the amounts. Usually the amount of the estimated payment is different each year. If they give you amounts like $400, $500, $500, & $500. You can look at that and figure out they probably just looked at all of 2011 check register. Then you can ask and get it cleared up.

But I have had people that forgot due to illness of themselves or a family member. Then sometimes we have to make a phone call.

Linda, EA

[taxea]

I was hoping for a phone number. I will look into e-services.

PPH should be able to give it to you. 866-860-4259

[joanmcq]

One good thing I can say about CA is they now have a practioner's site you can log on with permission and see estimates, withholding, print 1099-Gs, for the last four years. Especially useful when I have back filers that lost all their W-2s; after I get them from the IRS, I can look up the state w/h.