What you need to know

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make an estimated tax payment and submit a record of that payment to the Collective team. To read the full IRS policy on estimated taxes, click here.

In general, freelancers, self-employed individuals, businesses, and certain investors are required to make quarterly tax payments to avoid underpayment of taxes and associated penalties. These payments are due as follows:

Quarterly Deadline Chart

How to Make a Payment

1. Prepare your documents

   1. Locate your Individual Tax Return (Form 1040) from the prior year – you’ll need it on hand to reference

2. Navigate to the IRS Payments page

   1. Select ‘Pay Now With Direct Pay’, then click on the ‘Make Payment’ button.

      1. Make sure to have a Credit, Debit, or Account Number ready

3. Select the type of payment and the tax period

   1. Select “Estimated Tax” under the ‘Reason for Payment’ dropdown
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      Note: Based on your selection, the ‘Apply Payment To’ and ‘Tax Period for Payment’ fields will auto-populate
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   2. Ensure the calendar year reflects the year you are making a payment for (which may not necessarily be the current calendar year), then click ‘Continue’

4. Verify your identity

   1. In the ‘Tax Year for Verification’ dropdown, select the year of your prior tax return document from Step 1

   2. Enter your personal information, ensuring that it matches the information from your tax return

   3. Click ‘Continue’.

5. Submit payment details

   1. In the ‘Payment Amount Field’, enter the amount you would like to pay.

   2. Confirm by re-entering the amount

   3. Select the payment date (today’s date)

   4. Enter your bank account information

      1. Routing Number

      2. Account Number (re-enter to confirm)

      3. Account Type (Checking vs. Savings)

   5. Click the check box to receive an email confirmation, then enter and re-enter your email address

6. Review details and sign

   1. After reviewing and confirming all of your information is correct, electronically sign by entering your First Name, Last Name, and your SSN or ITIN

   2. Press ‘Submit’ – [Additional Action Required] Ensure you take a screenshot of the entire confirmation page before exiting

7. Upload the payment to your Collective Dashboard

   1. Review the screenshot of your confirmation page – make sure it captures the entire page (re-capture if necessary)

   2. Upload the screenshot to your Member Dashboard. This is a necessary step so that the Collective team can submit accurate information on your personal tax return

Additional Information

• Please keep a record of your ‘Confirmation Number’. It will be required to track your payment in the event the IRS loses record of it

• Made a mistake? Call the IRS as soon as you notice, provide them with your Confirmation Number, and notify them of the changes that need to be made

There you have it! Seven easy steps to tackle your estimated tax payments like a pro. If you get stuck or have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at hello@collective.com.

Happy tax-paying!

Disclaimer: The information contained in this document is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or tax advice. It is not intended to be a substitute for obtaining accounting or other financial advice from an appropriate financial adviser or for the purpose of avoiding U.S. Federal, state or local tax payments and penalties.