Does IRS pay interest on overpaid estimated taxes?

Asked by: Dariana Vandervort I  |  Last update: September 28, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (37 votes)

However, the government does not pay interest on excessive estimated tax payments made by taxpayers. IRC § 6621(a) provides that the overpayment and underpayment rates are generally the federal short-term rate, plus three percentage points (or two percentage points for corporations).

How much interest does the IRS pay on overpayments?

If the IRS owes you money, the interest rate for overpayments is 8% for all of 2024 (7% for the first quarter of 2025). The overpayment rate for corporate refunds is 7% for 2024 (6% for the first quarter of 2025). Net interest rate of zero.

What happens if you overpay on estimated taxes?

You get an overpayment credit when your tax payments exceed what you owe. You'll automatically receive a refund of the credit. However, you can ask us to apply the credit as an advance payment towards next year's taxes instead of sending it to you as a refund.

How much will the IRS usually settle for?

How much will the IRS settle for? The IRS will often settle for what it deems you can feasibly pay. To determine this, the agency will take into account your assets (home, car, etc.), your income, your monthly expenses (rent, utilities, child care, etc.), your savings, and more.

How do I get my interest back from the IRS?

How to request interest abatement. To request we reduce or waive interest due to an unreasonable error or IRS delay, you or your representative must submit: Form 843, Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement PDF or. A signed letter requesting that we reduce or adjust the overcharged interest.

Am I required to make quarterly estimated tax payments??

20 related questions found

Will the IRS pay me interest on my refund?

In summary, the IRS does pay interest on tax refunds, but only under specific conditions. Generally, if the IRS takes longer than 45 days after the filing deadline or the date you filed your return, whichever is later, to issue your refund, you'll receive interest on the amount owed.

How do I get my refund if I overpaid the IRS?

If the payments made exceed the amount of tax, then the amount of the overpayment is entered on the overpaid line in the Refund section of Form 1040. Taxpayers can choose to apply any portion of their overpayment to the following tax year or receive their refund as a check or direct deposit.

What is the IRS 6 year rule?

6 years - If you don't report income that you should have reported, and it's more than 25% of the gross income shown on the return, or it's attributable to foreign financial assets and is more than $5,000, the time to assess tax is 6 years from the date you filed the return.

What is the IRS one time forgiveness?

First Time Abate relief and unpaid tax

Example: You didn't fully pay your taxes in 2021 and got a notice with the balance due and penalty charges. You call us requesting penalty relief and we give you First Time Abate. We remove the penalty up to the date of your request.

Can I negotiate with the IRS myself?

You can use your Online Account to make offer in compromise (OIC) payments or check if you're eligible to submit an OIC. We'll review your OIC and decide if you qualify. An offer in compromise allows you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe.

Does the IRS pay interest on estimated tax payments?

However, the government does not pay interest on excessive estimated tax payments made by taxpayers. IRC § 6621(a) provides that the overpayment and underpayment rates are generally the federal short-term rate, plus three percentage points (or two percentage points for corporations).

Is it better to overpay or underpay estimated taxes?

Let's be clear: overpayment of taxes is in every way preferable to underpayment of taxes! The former is what the IRS expects -- and any money overpaid will be refunded eventually. The latter is against the IRS rules and will result in a penalty.

Is it OK to pay all estimated taxes at once?

Answer: Generally, if you determine you need to make estimated tax payments for estimated income tax and estimated self-employment tax, you can make quarterly estimated tax payments or pay all of the amount due on the first quarterly payment due date. Special rules apply to farmers and fishers.

What is the IRS overpayment rule?

In the case of any overpayment, the Secretary, within the applicable period of limitations, may credit the amount of such overpayment, including any interest allowed thereon, against any liability in respect of an internal revenue tax on the part of the person who made the overpayment and shall, subject to subsections ...

How much does the IRS charge interest?

Generally, interest accrues on any unpaid tax from the due date of the return (without any extensions) until the date of payment in full. The interest rate is determined quarterly and is the federal short-term rate plus 3 percent. Interest compounds daily.

Do you pay interest on overpayments?

Overpaying your mortgage could cut the amount of interest you pay, as the additional payments will reduce your outstanding mortgage balance. Find out how mortgage overpayments work and the potential benefits. We'll also take you through the things you'll need to consider before paying extra on your mortgage.

Does the IRS ever forgive interest?

We may be able to remove or reduce some penalties if you acted in good faith and can show reasonable cause for why you weren't able to meet your tax obligations. By law we cannot remove or reduce interest unless the penalty is removed or reduced. For more information, see penalty relief.

What qualifies as a hardship with the IRS?

An economic hardship occurs when we have determined the levy prevents you from meeting basic, reasonable living expenses. In order for the IRS to determine if a levy is causing hardship, the IRS will usually need you to provide financial information so be prepared to provide it when you call.

Is the IRS waiving penalties in 2024?

In June 2024, the IRS waived the penalty for the installment due on or before August 15, 2024, for a tax year beginning in 2024 (see Tax Alert 2024-1179).

Can IRS come after you after 5 years?

Generally, under IRC § 6502, the IRS can collect back taxes for 10 years from the date of assessment. The IRS cannot chase you forever and, due to the 1998 IRS Reform and Restructuring Act, taxpayers have a little relief from the IRS collections division's pursuit of an IRS balance due.

Does IRS destroy tax returns after 7 years?

Period of limitations that apply to income tax returns

Keep records for 3 years from the date you filed your original return or 2 years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later, if you file a claim for credit or refund after you file your return.

Does the IRS forgive tax debt after 10 years?

The IRS has a limited window to collect unpaid taxes — which is generally 10 years from the date the tax debt was assessed. If the IRS cannot collect the full amount within this period, the remaining balance is forgiven. This is known as the "collection statute expiration date" (CSED).

What happens if I overpay my quarterly estimated taxes?

You will receive an overpayment amount as a refund. The IRS won't be sending out a notification to let you know you made an overpayment on taxes. Freelancers, independent contractors and gig workers need to make quarterly estimated tax payments if they meet the requirements.

Does the IRS pay interest on overpayments?

If you pay more tax than you owe, we pay interest on the overpayment amount. Underpayment and overpayment interest rates vary and may change quarterly. Changes don't affect the interest rate charged for prior quarters or years. See Quarterly Interest Rates for more information.

How do I speak to a live person at IRS?

Use Where's My Refund, call us at 800-829-1954 (toll-free) and use the automated system, or speak with a representative by calling 800-829-1040 (see telephone assistance for hours of operation).