mia

payUSAtax.com is a new IRS Authorized Payment Provider. Reading their website I had the impression we could pay the balance due on 2009 form 1040 with a Discover, Mastercard or VISA credit card, paying a Convenience Fee of 1.95%. This is lower than the fees charged by the other payment processors. Both Official Payments and Link2Gov charge 2.35%, reduced from 2.49% last year.

It's good that the IRS has added a third processor and that there is price competition. However, when I try to pay using a VISA credit card this message is displayed:

Visa credit cards are not accepted for the tax type selected. Please modify your payment method. If you would like to use your Visa credit card, please visit the “Pay by Credit Card” page at www.IRS.gov for alternate payment providers.

I have contacted payUSAtax for clarification, but given the wording of the message I don't think this is a programming or operator error.

Questions:

1. Has anyone actually used this site to pay 2009 balance due, and what type of card did it accept?

2. Can anyone see a disclosure on the site that should have told me that they do not accept VISA credit cards?

My search turned up only three previous mentions on Flyertalk:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other...astercard.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...hip-cards.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other...es-points.html

JudyJFLA

I have used the site several times with no problem, using the Travelocity MC to pay my 944 employer taxes. I will be using it again to pay my Estimated tax in April, since with the lower rate and the 4% back in travel on the Gnome card I will come out ahead.
I have a refund coming, so no experience with the balance due portion.
JudyJFLA

thehimalayas

I had the same issue with a Visa. Then I thought I would try out paying by phone. What do you know, it worked!
https://www.payusatax.com/PayByPhone.aspx

mia

Thank you very much. The telephone system accepted my VISA payment .

JackDaniels

Which cards are you guys using to pay off your taxes?

mia

I used Chase Amazon.com VISA because we received a targetted offer of 15,000 bonus points for $10,000 spend in 90 days. These points are convertible to British Airways miles 1:1. That's 2.5 miles per dollar total.

Wiirachay

^ Thanks. I have a 2% Visa rebate card; and this'll be great as one month negative interest loan. (1.95% - 2% = 0.05%)

Okay, blast me for not using a miles credit card.

- Pat

Keflyer

What about debit card for a flat fee of 3.95$ at www.officialpayments.com?

mia

PayUSAtax.com changes $3.89 .

Boraxo

did you confirm the fee/rate for pay by phone?

mia

Yes, it's an automated system which guides the user though every step, and confirms all amounts. The fee was 1.95%, same as online.

kshahk

So does this mean I can use my Continental Business Card to pay $10,000 in tax and then receive refund of $9,200 from IRS if I only owe $800 in tax for $3.89 and receive 10,000 miles?

buschoi

Technically you may. Practically, only if you want to risk bringing yourself to the attention of the IRS and get flagged for an audit. I personally will not do it.

mia

1. Is your Continental Business Card a debit card?

2. It's not clear if payUSAtax accepts Mastercard brand debit cards.

The fee amount will be a flat rate of $3.89 for Visa debit or ATM/Debit transactions


https://www.payusatax.com/SelectService.aspx

mia

Discussed here:


http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other...es-points.html