How to See How Much You Owe in Taxes to the IRS

Individuals may need to check their tax balance for various reasons, including responding to an IRS notice, confirming an existing obligation, or planning future finances. Understanding your tax liabilities is important for maintaining compliance with federal and state tax requirements and effectively managing these obligations.

Preparing to Check Your Federal Tax Balance

Accessing your federal tax balance requires setting up an online account with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This process involves identity verification, handled through a third-party service like ID.me. To create an ID.me account, you will need to provide personal details like your Social Security Number and photo identification, such as a driver’s license or state ID.

The identity verification process with ID.me involves uploading images of your identification and may require a selfie or a live video call to confirm your identity. You will also need a phone number and an email address to complete the registration. Once your identity is verified through ID.me, you can link it to your IRS online account. This linking process might also require information from a prior tax return, such as your filing status and the address used on that return.

Using IRS Online Services to View Your Balance

After successfully completing the identity verification and account setup, you can access your federal tax information through the IRS online services. Begin by navigating to the IRS.gov website and selecting the “View Your Account” option. You will then be prompted to log in using your verified ID.me credentials.

Upon logging in, the IRS online account provides a comprehensive overview of your federal tax obligations. You can find your current balance due displayed prominently on the main dashboard. This portal also allows you to view your payment history and access tax records such as transcripts of your filed returns. Specific sections or tabs within the account, often labeled “Balance Due” or “Tax Records,” will provide detailed breakdowns of any amounts owed.

Checking Your State Tax Liabilities

Tax obligations at the state level are separate from federal taxes and require direct interaction with individual state tax agencies. Each state maintains its own Department of Revenue or Tax Commission responsible for administering state tax laws. To check your state tax balance, you should search for your state’s official tax agency website.

Most state tax agencies offer online portals that mirror the functionality of the IRS online account. These require a separate account setup, which will involve providing similar personal identifying information, such as your Social Security Number and state-issued identification. Through these state portals, you can view your current income tax balance, review payment history, and access information related to other state taxes like property taxes, depending on the state’s system.

Interpreting Your Tax Account Information

When reviewing your tax account information, a “balance due” indicates the amount of tax, penalties, and interest you still owe. Common reasons for a balance due include insufficient tax withholding from wages, underpayment of estimated taxes throughout the year, or unfiled tax returns. Penalties are assessed when taxpayers do not meet their obligations by the due dates.

Interest is also charged on underpayments and unpaid balances, accruing daily from the due date of the tax. If you discover an unexpected balance or believe the amount is incorrect, you should review your tax returns for any discrepancies or contact the respective tax agency for clarification. The IRS offers various payment options, including payment plans, if you cannot pay the full amount immediately.

Citations

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/how-to-verify-your-identity-with-idme
https://www.irs.gov/payments/payment-options