E-file and e-pay federal forms and taxes in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Enhanced

Learn how to e-file your federal tax forms and e-pay your federal taxes electronically.

Paying your federal taxes and filing the necessary payroll forms on time throughout the year is an essential task.  In QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Enhanced, you can pay and file your 941/944, 940 taxes, and forms electronically. This is the fastest and easiest way to make sure you stay compliant with the IRS. 

Do you use another QuickBooks Desktop Payroll product or need info on state taxes and forms? 

• If you’re using QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Basic/Standard, see Pay and file your payroll taxes and forms manually in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll. 
• If you’re using QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Assisted, we pay and file your taxes and forms for you.
• If you need to e-file and e-pay for your state taxes, see E-file and e-pay state forms and taxes in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Enhanced

Step 1: Set up federal e-file and e-pay

You need to make sure that you've set up for Federal e-file and e-pay in QuickBooks Desktop.

Step 2: E-pay your federal taxes

To ensure your federal payments are made on time, note the following:

• If your federal tax liability is more than $100,000 in a liability period, you must make the payment through the IRS EFTPS website the next banking day. See Pay your federal tax liability when it's over $100,000
• E-payments must be sent before 5:00 PM PT two banking days prior to the due date.  If it’s after this time, you’ll need to make the payment through the IRS EFTPS website.

To e-pay in QuickBooks Desktop:

1. Go to Employees, then select Payroll Center. 
2. Select the Pay Liabilities tab. 
3. In the Pay Taxes & Other Liabilities section, select the liability to pay, and select the View/Pay button.
4. Review the liability details for accuracy.
5. Select E-Pay.
6. In the E-Pay Login window, enter your 4-digit EFTPS PIN and other login information.
   Note: If you have recently changed the bank account for your e-payment, use your new PIN.
7. Select Submit.
8. You can print the confirmation notice that appears, indicating that Intuit has received your request and will submit your e-payment to the correct agency.
9. Select Close.

You’ll get an email confirmation within 24-48 hours. To check the status, see Check e-file or e-pay status.

Check out this video on how to pay payroll taxes and liabilities

Step 3: E-file your federal forms

1. Go to Employees, select Payroll Tax Forms and W-2s, then select Process Payroll Forms. 
2. Select the federal form you need to file from the list.
3. Select Create Form. Choose the form filing period, then select OK. 
4. Review each part of the form. You can select Check for errors, then make necessary corrections.
5. Select Submit Form. Then select E-file. 
6. Enter your 10-digit IRS Efile pin and follow onscreen instructions to continue filing the form. 

Note: You don't need a PIN to e-file a W-2.

You’ll get an email confirmation within 24-48 hours. To check the status, see Check e-file or e-pay status.

Check out this video on how to file your federal forms