IR-2003-90, July 21, 2003 WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the Internet version of the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), the EFTPS-OnLine Web site, has undergone a major upgrade to include several new improvements to help taxpayers. The changes will provide users with more than a half-dozen new features, ranging from more convenience for scheduling payments to expanded ability to track payment history. These are major changes for EFTPS-OnLine, which was introduced almost two years ago and allows taxpayers to make their federal tax payments electronically. “It’s important to keep the Internet feature fresh and flexible to grow with technology and the needs of taxpayers,” said Robert Hunt, IRS Director, Taxpayer Education and Communication. “We will continue to listen to what our users want, and make EFTPS-OnLine even better in the years to come.” Taxpayers using the system will see many improvements for payments. They will be able to: Schedule all four estimated tax payments, Form 1040ES, at once in one session without logging out. Access payment history for a 16-month period of time. Search, print or download payment history by date, tax type, amount, tax form and other factors. Previously, taxpayers could schedule only one estimated tax payment at a time and then would log out before scheduling another. Payment history was available for only 120 days. And, the payment history search and sort feature was not available. The upgraded site includes many other features that will make it much more user-friendly for those using the system. Taxpayers can: Change bank accounts by phone without completing a new enrollment. Select a PIN online when changing their bank account number and begin making payments from that account immediately, if electing to bypass bank account information verification by the bank. Access links to states with electronic tax payment systems directly from the EFTPS Web site. Use enhanced and updated glossary help and information. Take advantage of improved accessibility if visually impaired. EFTPS is a service provided free by two agencies of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the IRS and the Financial Management Service. The system enables taxpayers and tax professionals to make federal tax payments electronically using EFTPS-OnLine, EFTPS-Phone or EFTPS Batch Provider software for professionals. EFTPS was introduced in 1996 and since that time more than 4 million taxpayers have enrolled in the system to make their federal tax payments electronically. More than $8.8 trillion dollars has been collected through EFTPS since 1996. Last year, $1.5 trillion dollars were collected. Over ninety-five percent of the employment tax dollars are collected through EFTPS each year. Taxpayers can make payments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from home or office; schedule payments up to 120 days in advance (for businesses) or 365 days in advance (for individuals); review the last 16 months of tax payment history online or by calling Customer Service. In addition, taxpayers receive an EFT Acknowledgement Number for every EFTPS transaction for easy record keeping and as proof of the transaction. EFTPS is ideal for all business taxpayers and for individual taxpayers that make Form 1040 ES quarterly estimated payments. Taxpayers can enroll in EFTPS by visiting the EFTPS-Online Web site, or by calling EFTPS Customer Service at 1-800-555-4477 or 1-800-945-8400. Related Item: EFTPS-OnLine Subscribe to IRS NewsWire
