If you’ve ever wondered whether you can pay taxes with a cashier’s check and if cashier’s checks are accepted by the IRS or state tax agencies, here’s the answer: Yes! You can pay your taxes with a cashier’s check. But it’s not that easy. Cashier’s checks come in many forms and sizes, so you have to be sure that the one you use is valid and correct.
In this post, we find out the following: Can You Pay Taxes With A Cashier’s Check, how to write a check to irs for taxes, where do i send my payment to the irs, and can you pay property taxes with a cashier’s check.
Can You Pay Taxes With A Cashier’s Check
You can pay your taxes with a cashier’s check, but it’s not the easiest option. In fact, you might have to get a certified check instead if your cashier’s check has certain issues. We’ll go over what those issues are and how you can use this method of payment for tax purposes.
The IRS will accept your cashier’s check.
The short answer is yes, you can pay taxes with a cashier’s check. However, the IRS prefers to be paid electronically through direct deposit. If you have no other option but to mail in your payment and cashier’s checks are not available for purchase at your local bank, then yes, this will work just fine.
The longer answer is that there are several types of checks that are acceptable forms of payment from the IRS but only if it meets certain criteria:
- It must be issued by an FDIC-insured financial institution (banks typically issue them).
- It must be written on the bank’s standard check stock paper with their logo in blue ink at the bottom right corner within 30 days before or 30 days after the date of issue.
You can pay with a bank check at some businesses.
You can pay with a bank check at some businesses, but it’s not common. You’ll have to ask before you pay.
- If the business accepts cashier’s checks, you should ask for permission to use one and then provide them with your name and account number.
- If they allow other forms of payment, you may need to show proof that you have enough money in your account to cover the check (for example, by showing them an image on your smartphone).
If you’re paying for something with a cashier’s check or another bank check, be sure to get a receipt from the person who accepted your payment! That way if there are problems later on down the road when trying with the IRS (they usually ask for receipts), at least they won’t be able to say anything about not having proof of ownership over said property or service
You might have to get a certified check.
A certified check is a special type of cashier’s check that has been approved by a bank. It may be necessary when you have to pay taxes, since some tax agencies require the payment to be made with a certified check.
In order to get a certified check, you will need to go into your local bank branch and submit certain documents with your request. If they determine that your request is valid based on those documents, they will issue the certification and issue the actual cashier’s check as well.
You can use it just like any other type of cashier’s check: just ask for one at your local branch and fill out its information (name, address) on the form provided by them.
You can pay taxes with a cashier’s check, but there are some caveats that make it better to use another option.
- You can pay taxes with a cashier’s check. But there are some caveats that make it better to use another option.
- If you have no other options, you can use a cashier’s check at the IRS office. However, if you have access to other payment methods (like using an electronic payment system), then it is generally better to use those instead of writing out a check for your taxes. This is because these methods are faster and safer than cashing in one of these checks at the IRS office, which could take as long as two weeks if they have to process all of their rules first before processing your application for payment.*
how to write a check to irs for taxes
The U.S. Department of the Treasury issues checks authorized by federal agencies for payment of benefits or, in the case of the Internal Revenue Service, tax refunds. Treasury checks expire one year after the date of issue. Banks will not accept the expired check for cashing or deposit. Although the U.S. Treasury issues the checks, you must apply to the authorizing agency to reissue the expired check The IRS authorizes the Treasury to send a replacement check.
Write a short letter to the IRS that includes the statement “Return of expired check because . . . ” and explain that you are returning the check because it has expired. Note the check number and issue date in your letter. Request that the IRS reissue the check and send a replacement check to you. Include your current mailing address and telephone number.
Write “void” in large letters on the back of the Treasury check in the endorsement area, which is where you would normally sign the check. Place the check in an envelope for mailing with the letter, but do not bend the check or staple or attach the check to the letter. Affix the correct postage to the envelope.
Look on the front of the Treasury check to find the name of the city that determines the appropriate IRS mailing address. The name of a city, or its abbreviation, should be printed at the bottom of the check in front of the words, “TAX REFUND.” If the Treasury check is for a purpose other than tax refund, note that in your letter. The IRS document, “Topic 161 – Returning an Erroneous Refund – Paper Check or Direct Deposit” located on the agency’s website, lists the 10 city names and the corresponding mailing addresses. You may also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040, and ask for the correct mailing address for returning the expired check.
where do i send my payment to the irs
Direct Pay is a free IRS service that lets you make tax payments online directly from your bank account to the IRS.
Direct Pay lets you pay the IRS directly. It is not a way to get a direct deposit of your tax refund to your bank account.
Individual taxpayers can use Direct Pay for payments on the following returns:
Refer to our tip sheet for which option to select in Direct Pay for different types of payments and limits on the time periods permitted for each.
If you file a business tax return separate from your individual return, you cannot use Direct Pay for business payments. You can register with the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System® (EFTPS) to make free online payments from a bank account for your business.
Yes, for each payment you make you will receive a confirmation number. You also have an option to have your payment confirmation emailed to you. You should keep a copy of each confirmation number in case you need to modify or cancel your payment.
Direct Pay only provides confirmation of your payment submission. To be sure the payment was successfully withdrawn from your bank account, check your bank statement, or view your IRS account at least 48 hours after your requested payment date.
IRS Direct Pay works best with:
You may experience issues using Direct Pay with other web browsers, (for instance, IE 11 on Windows 7). If you do, other payment options are available.
EFTPS is used for most business payments. EFTPS may save you time if you are making quarterly estimated tax payments or making frequent payments. Direct Pay may be faster if you have an immediate payment deadline and have never used EFTPS.
Both Direct Pay and EFTPS:
Neither payment method permits payments from foreign banks with no U.S. affiliate. Neither online system is available from 11:45 pm to midnight Eastern Time.
You can make up to two Direct Pay payments within a 24-hour period. To make a third payment, try again 24 hours after the first of the two payments.
You can’t make payments larger than $9,999,999.99 using Direct Pay. You can make them through EFTPS or same-day wire, or you can break a large payment into two or more smaller payments on Direct Pay.
How Do I…
Choose option “Make a Payment” on the main Direct Pay page. You’ll then need to select the reason for your payment, how you want it applied, and the tax year you want it applied to. If your payment is not for an amount owed on your tax return, you may want to review our guidance on selecting the appropriate reason for payment.
You can schedule a payment up to 365 days in advance. After choosing the “Make a Payment” option, on Step 3 of the application, you will be prompted to select a payment date.
3. How do I verify, change or cancel a future payment?
Provided you wrote down your confirmation number, or requested it be emailed to you, you can use that number to look up, modify or cancel a scheduled payment before it happens. Select the option “Look Up a Payment” on the main Direct Pay page to enter your confirmation number and make changes. You have until two business days before the payment date to cancel or make any changes.
You can only make or schedule one payment at a time using IRS Direct Pay. If you request email confirmation, you will receive an email reminder two days before the scheduled payment date. Otherwise, you will need to keep track of the future payment dates yourself. To schedule estimated tax payments to occur at intervals throughout the year and check on their status, paying through EFTPS may be faster and easier.
If you are making monthly installment agreement payments on an overdue amount, you can set up recurring payments with the Online Payment Agreement Application. (Remember that interest and penalties will be charged on any unpaid balances.)
5. How do I verify my identity, and what information do I need?
Each time you reenter Direct Pay after closing it, Direct Pay verifies your personal information from a prior year tax return of your choice. This information does not need to be for the same tax year on which you are making your payment. It can be from as far back as 5 to 6 years ago depending on the time of year.
Your confirmation number confirms that you’ve approved IRS to make the bank withdrawal. If the withdrawal is successful, you will get credit for the day you selected in Direct Pay, though it may take up to two business days to actually process. Payments submitted after 8 p.m. Eastern time for the same day will typically appear as if they were made the next business day in your online account.
To verify your payment was processed successfully, check your online tax account two business days after the date you scheduled the payment to be withdrawn from your bank account. Your online tax account will indicate whether a payment attempt was rejected. If the payment is still listed as “Pending,” check back after three more business days to see if the payment was returned or reversed. If it was, you can try submitting it again to avoid interest and penalties.
You can also check with your bank after two business days to make sure the payment went through. If your bank confirms your payment was processed, but it does not appear in your IRS Online Account, contact us by phone.
7. How do I make a payment for my husband or wife? (updated September 16, 2022)
You can make a payment for someone else if you file jointly on the same tax return. On Step 2, “Verify Identity,” select “Married – Filed Joint Return” as your filing status, then input the remaining information for the primary spouse (name listed on the tax return first).
IRS Direct Pay requires a U.S. bank routing number (ABA). This nine-digit number is generally printed on checks or is available from your bank. If you have an account with an international bank that has a U.S. affiliate, the bank may be able to provide the routing number. Direct Pay does not accept SWIFT codes. Other payment options are available if you need to pay from a foreign bank with no U.S. routing number.
If you received a recent payment due notice or letter, you will see the amount you need to pay and the due date. The notice may have been sent before receipt of your last payment. Individual taxpayers can view their latest account balance online.
If you can’t log in or provide the information required for account registration, you can request a copy of your account transcript be mailed to you. Be sure to request a “tax account transcript” for each tax year you want (up to 10 years ago), not a “tax return transcript,” which lists the information on the return you filed.
Between January 1st and the original due date of your return, visit the main Direct Pay page and select the “Make a Payment” button. On the page that follows,
If you complete this process successfully, your payment will be credited towards the tax year for which you are requesting a filing extension, and you will automatically receive the extension. You will not need to file a separate Form 4868, Extension of Time to File Your Tax Return. You can verify your extension by logging into your account.
You can pay what you expect to owe or a portion of it. However, a filing extension does not extend the deadline to pay what you owe. It only gives you more time to file your return. If you don’t pay what you owe by the original deadline, you could still owe penalties and interest.
Can you pay property taxes with a cashier’s check
The online payment button is activated as of Nov. 1, 2022, at 12:00 a.m. EST (Eastern Standard Time). Only current-year taxes (2022) can be paid online.
Accounts that have a certificate issued, are in bankruptcy or litigation cannot be paid online. Credit card payments can be made by Visa, MasterCard or Discover. American Express is not accepted. Debit cards will be processed as a credit card transaction.
If paying online by credit card or debit card, a non-refundable convenience fee of 2.21 percent (minimum $1.95) of the tax amount will be applied to each credit card or debit card transaction. The fee charged by our online payment vendor, per Florida Statute 215.322, will be reflected on your credit card bill (if paying by credit card) or on your financial institution statement (if paying by debit card) as a separate line charge. Debit cards will be processed as credit card transactions.
If paying online by eCheck, funds must be available for immediate withdrawal from a regular checking or savings account, open to ACH transactions and payable in U.S. funds and drawn on a U.S. Bank. There is no convenience fee when paying by eCheck.
Most checks issued from money market accounts, credit card companies, mutual funds, brokerage accounts, home equity, or other lines of credit cannot be processed as a bank account payment. Please verify with your financial institution that there is no alternate routing number required for bank payments.
Many commercial checking accounts utilize a debit filter to prevent unauthorized payments. If your account has a debit filter, contact your bank to add the following company sending ID:
The Tax Collector’s Office does not have access to cancel or modify online payment transactions.
Pay by phoneThe 311 Contact Center is available to process 2022 tax payments. Their hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will only process eCheck payments for the full amount of taxes due. Partial payments, installment payments or credit card payments cannot be processed through the 311 Contact Center.
To pay by phone, call 305-270-4916.
Pay in personTax Collector’s Public Service Office, located at 200 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami, Florida 33128, is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
If paying current year 2022 real estate taxes in person, acceptable forms of payment are cash, personal check, cashier’s check, certified funds, money order, credit card, debit card and Apple Pay.
Make your payment payable to: Miami-Dade County Tax Collector’s Office. Checks must be payable in U.S. funds and drawn on a U.S. bank.
To pay by credit card, a non-refundable convenience fee of 2.21 percent (minimum $1.95) of the tax amount will be applied to each transaction. Only Visa, MasterCard and Discover cards are accepted.
To pay by debit card a non-refundable convenience fee of $1.95 will be applied to each transaction. Only Visa, MasterCard and Discover cards are accepted.
To pay by Apple Pay, a non-refundable convenience fee will be applied to each transaction, $1.95 if using a debit card, or 2.21 percent (min. $1.95) of the tax amount, if using a credit card with your Apple Pay transaction. Only Visa, MasterCard and Discover cards are accepted.
If you’re paying $10,000 or more in cash and/or money order, your Social Security card, and a valid ID (passport or U.S.-issued driver’s license) are required.
Discounts for payments made in person are based on the actual date payment is received.
If paying delinquent (2021 and prior) real estate taxes in person, acceptable forms of payment are cashier’s check, certified funds, money order or cash.
Pay by mailIf paying current 2022 real estate taxes by mail, acceptable forms of payment are personal checks, money order’s, cashier’s check, and certified funds. Do not mail cash. Make your payment payable to: Miami-Dade County Tax Collector’s Office. Checks must be payable in U.S. funds and drawn on a U.S. bank. Write your folio and phone number on your check and mail your payment to Miami-Dade County Tax Collector’s Office, 200 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami FL 33128. Discounts are determined by the postmark date. Postmarks will be honored through March 31, 2023.
Postdated checks cannot be held for future processing, they will be processed as of the date of receipt.
If paying delinquent (2021 or prior) real estate taxes by mail, acceptable forms of payment are cashier’s check, certified funds, or money order. Do not mail cash. Postmarks will not be honored for delinquent tax payment.
Your taxes are not paid until your check clears the bank.
Returned PaymentsPursuant to State Law (F.S. 68.065), a service fee of not less than $25.00 up to a maximum of 5% will be charged for all returned payments. The taxpayer will be held responsible for penalties, interest, fees and/or loss of discount resulting from any returned payment.
Discounts or interest, if applicable, will be determined by the date you resubmit your payment.
In lieu of a service charge authorized under subsection (3), s. 832.062(4)(a), or s. 832.07, the payee of a payment instrument, the payment of which is refused by the drawee because of lack of funds, lack of credit, or lack of an account, or where the maker or drawer stops payment on the instrument with intent to defraud, may lawfully collect bank fees actually incurred by the payee in the course of tendering the payment, plus a service charge of $25 if the face value does not exceed $50; $30 if the face value exceeds $50 but does not exceed $300; $40 if the face value exceeds $300; or 5 percent of the face value of the payment instrument, whichever is greater. The right to damages under this subsection may be claimed without the filing of a civil action. Pursuant to Administrative Order 4-86 the taxpayer will be responsible for fees and/or loss of discount resulting from returned payments.
Pursuant to State Law, (F.S. 194) a petitioner who challenges the assessed value of real property, with the Value Adjustment Board, must pay all the Non-Ad Valorem Assessments and pay at least 75 percent of the Ad Valorem taxes and a petitioner who files a petition on the denial of a classification, exemption, or on property not substantially complete, must make a good faith payment, less the applicable discount by March 31, 2023.
The failure to make this minimum payment by March 31, 2023, will result in the denial of the property owner’s VAB petition. Any prior adjustments will be reversed, and the taxes will become delinquent.
The VAB will issue a denial for non-payment even if the property owner’s petition was heard by the VAB prior to March 31, 2023, and the VAB has agreed to reduce the property’s assessment. In such cases, and pursuant to Florida law, the VAB will cancel its decision reducing the property’s assessment, and the Property Appraiser’s preliminary assessment will be reinstated.
Online payment by eCheck or credit card is only available for owners who elect to pay the full amount of taxes, 100 percent of the Ad Valorem and 100 percent of the Non-Ad Valorem Assessment.
The following payment discounts are offered for early payment:
Gross tax if paid by March 31, 2022. No discount applies.
Partial PaymentsPartial payments for current year (2022) taxes are accepted from Nov. 1 through March 31.
Once you have elected to participate in the Partial Payment Plan by making the first payment, you are required to continue participation for the tax year and you waive your right to receive the applicable discounts granted per Florida Statute 197.162. Applicants in the partial payment plan will be charged a $10 processing fee for each payment submitted.
The final partial payment must be paid by March 31 and must include the $10 processing fee. Any remaining balance that is not paid by April 1 becomes delinquent and applicable interest and fees will be added.
You may not participate in the Partial Payment Plan if:
The deadline to submit your 2022 Partial Payment Plan Application is March 31, 2023. You will need to submit the 2022 Partial Payment Plan Application with your initial payment to participate in the program. Discounts for early payment are not granted.
If there is an outstanding Water, Road, and Sewer lien (WRS) being paid on an installment basis on your yearly tax bill, the installment portion for this year must be paid in full before April 1 to avoid the remaining balance due on the lien to become delinquent and a separate tax certificate to be sold for the remaining delinquent amount of the Water, Road, and Sewer lien.
Online payment by e-check and credit card are available on miamidade.county-taxes.com. Online banking bill pay not accepted.
Quarterly Installment Plan If your estimated taxes are more than $100, you can split your 2023 tax payments into four installments.
The deadline to submit your 2023 Application for Installment Payment is April 30, 2023.
The following payment schedule applies to the installment plan:
Once you have elected to participate in the installment plan by timely paying the first installment, you are required to continue participation for the tax year. You are automatically re-enrolled if participation continues for the entire tax year.
Failure to make the first payment will automatically cancel your participation and you will be required to pay in full by March 31.
Energy Improvement Assessments are collected annually pursuant to Florida Statutes 200.069. If you are a Quarterly Installment Plan participant and have an Energy Improvement Assessment, total assessment for this energy improvement will only be billed in December (third installment) and March (fourth installment), so please be aware that the third and fourth installments will be higher. If you have an Energy Improvement Assessment and your lending institution pays your annual property tax bill, you should not participate in the Quarterly Installment Plan.