IP 2003(25)

Paying Connecticut Taxes by Electronic Funds Transfer

This publication has been superseded by IP 2004(28)

Purpose:  This Informational Publication explains the requirement for paying taxes electronically.

Effective Date: Upon issuance.

Statutory Authority: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§12-685 to 12-689, inclusive; Conn. Agencies Regs. §§12-689-1 to 12-689-4, inclusive.

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) is an electronic method of making a payment. An EFT is handled through the Automated Clearing House System (ACH), a nationwide network that electronically transfers funds.

Effective July 1, 2003, taxpayers whose prior year liability for a particular tax exceeded $50,000 for the 12-month period ending the preceding June 30 for monthly and quarterly tax liabilities or for the preceding taxable year for annual tax liabilities, and who are notified by the Department of Revenue Services (DRS) to pay that tax by EFT must pay the tax by EFT. On or after July 1, 2004, taxpayers whose prior year liability for a particular tax exceeds $10,000 will be required to pay that tax by EFT.

3. Will I always be required to pay that tax by EFT?

No. Each year DRS reviews your prior year liability for a particular tax. You will be notified by DRS if you are no longer required to pay that tax by EFT, but you must continue to pay by EFT until DRS notifies you that you no longer are required to do so.

4. How do I register for EFT?

Complete Form EFT-1, Authorization Agreement for Electronic Funds Transfers, indicating your choice of EFT method and providing the required bank information. After we receive your completed Form EFT-1, DRS will send additional information and instructions to your designated contact person. If you use Fast-File to file your tax return and initiate payment of a Fast-File eligible tax and you are not required to pay that tax by EFT, you do not need to pre-register. You also do not have to complete Form EFT-1.

5. May my paid preparer or accountant serve as my primary EFT contact person?

Yes. DRS recommends, however, that your primary contact person be the person making the EFT payments. In designating a contact person, remember you are responsible for the timely payment of your taxes even if you designate someone else as your contact person.

6. How do I report changes in registration information I entered on Form EFT-1?

You must contact the DRS EFT Unit at 860-297-4973 to report a change in your EFT method, bank information, or other changes in your registration information.

7. May I make payments using EFT even though I am not required to do so?

Yes. If you choose to make payment by the ACH credit or the ACH debit methods, you must first contact the DRS EFT Unit to register for voluntary payment of taxes by EFT. If you voluntarily use the DRS Fast-File system, you do not have to pre-register or to notify DRS of your intent to use Fast-File.

8. What methods may I use to pay my taxes by EFT?

You may use one of three methods to pay your taxes by EFT:

• Direct payment by Fast-File (for Fast-File eligible taxes),

• ACH debit method, or

• ACH credit method.

9. What is Fast-File?

Fast-File is an easy way to electronically file a tax return for any eligible tax using the telephone or the Internet. Fast-File is available anytime, and also allows you to electronically pay the tax through an ACH debit transaction known as Direct Payment.

10. What are Fast-File eligible taxes?

Fast-File eligible taxes are sales and use taxes, business use tax, room occupancy tax, and Connecticut withholding tax.

11. If I am required to pay my sales and use tax by EFT, must I electronically file my return?

Yes. On or after July 1, 2003, all taxpayers required to remit sales and use tax by EFT must also file their return for this tax electronically using Fast-File.

12. What if I voluntarily pay my sales and use tax by EFT?

If you voluntarily pay by EFT, you are not required to file your returns electronically. However, we encourage using Fast-File.

13. Will I still receive paper returns in the mail?

No. DRS no longer mails a pre-printed copy of Form OS-114, Sales and Use Tax Return, to taxpayers required to electronically file their sales and use tax returns.

14. How does the ACH debit method work?

With the ACH debit method, you authorize DRS to initiate the EFT by providing the amount of the payment and the date of transfer. If you are making a payment of a Fast-File eligible tax, you initiate the EFT either using Fast-File, which uses the ACH debit method, or making a toll-free call to the DRS service bureau by calling 1-800-669-3110. If you are not making a payment of a Fast-File eligible tax, you initiate the EFT by making a toll-free call to the DRS service bureau. If you call the DRS service bureau, you may use either the touch-tone menu or speak to the service bureau operator to authorize the amount of the payment and the date of transfer.

15. How does the ACH credit method work?

With the ACH credit method, you (not DRS) initiate the EFT through your bank. In coordination with your bank, you format your payment, your Connecticut tax registration number, the tax type, and the tax return filing period. You must ensure your bank can perform its part of the transaction using the ACH standard CCD+TXP format; otherwise, you must use the ACH debit method.

16. What are the advantages of the ACH debit method?

ACH debit transactions can be error-free when sent to the banking system because extensive editing and data correction are performed before the EFT is initiated. When using Fast-File, you are given a confirmation number to verify your tax return has been filed. If you file by the Internet, a requested payment date indicates that the payment has been successfully initiated. When you call the DRS service bureau, you are given a trace number to verify you have initiated your payment.

17. Which payment method does DRS recommend?

DRS recommends the Fast-File ACH debit method for Fast-File eligible taxes. Fast-File allows you to simultaneously file your returns and pay your taxes electronically. For other taxes, we recommend the ACH debit method. ACH debit transactions are virtually error free and generally less costly to the taxpayer.

18. If I authorize DRS to debit my account to pay my taxes, will DRS have access to my bank account for any other purpose?

No. DRS will not have access to your account for any other purpose. You must initiate any other payments. Access codes and passwords ensure that only you can authorize the transfer of funds from your bank account to the DRS bank account and the funds are applied to the proper tax account.

19. May I use other EFT methods besides the ACH debit and ACH credit methods?

No.

20. May I change my EFT method at any time?

Yes, but only with prior approval from the DRS EFT Unit.

21. What are the due dates for paying by EFT?

• If you are required to pay a tax (other than withholding tax) by EFT, DRS’s bank account must be credited for the amount of your payment on or before the due date.
• If you are required to pay Connecticut withholding tax by EFT, DRS’s bank account must be credited for the amount of your payment on or before the next business day following the due date.
• If you registered with DRS for voluntary payment of a tax, DRS’s bank account must be credited for the amount of your payment on or before the next business day following the due date.

22. How do I ensure my payment is timely?

If you are required to pay electronically and are using Fast-File or the ACH debit method through the DRS service bureau, you must initiate your transaction no later than 4:30 p.m. eastern time on the last banking day prior to the due date. For example, if the due date of the return is Monday, you must initiate the transaction no later than 4:30 p.m. eastern time on the preceding Friday. If you use the ACH credit method, consult your financial institution for information.

23. How do I prove I made a timely ACH debit transaction?

Your bank account will show a debit on or before the due date.

24. How do I prove I made a timely ACH credit transaction?

You must submit documentation from your bank showing your payment was initiated in time for settlement into our bank account on or before the due date.

25. When is the payment due if the due date falls on a weekend or legal holiday?

If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the next business day is the due date. For an ACH debit transaction, you must initiate the EFT no later than 4:30 p.m. eastern time on the last banking day prior to the weekend or holiday. For an ACH credit transaction, contact your bank for information. Legal holidays are New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Lincoln’s Birthday, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. For this year’s holiday schedule, call the DRS EFT Unit.

26. Is there a penalty for a late tax payment by EFT?

Yes. For taxes first due and payable on or after October 1, 1998, penalties for late EFT payments are:

• 2% of the tax due for EFT payments not more than 5 days late;
• 5% for EFT payments more than 5 days but not more than 15 days late; and
• 10% for EFT payments more than 15 days late.

Interest is charged at the rate of 1% per month or fraction of a month from the due date until the date of the payment.

If payment is delayed for reasons beyond your control and you are able to prove to the satisfaction of DRS that you exercised due diligence, the penalty may be waived.

27. May I pay by check if I am required to pay by EFT?

No. Payment by check does not meet your obligation to pay by EFT and subjects you to a 10% penalty, even if DRS’s bank account is credited for the payment on or before the due date.

28. If I have a problem initiating an ACH debit transaction, whom should I call?

If you have a problem initiating an ACH debit transaction, contact the DRS EFT Unit in sufficient time to correct the problem.

29. When are the funds actually withdrawn from my bank account?

For ACH debit transactions, you determine the date of withdrawal by the effective date or requested payment date you enter when you initiate your transfer. For ACH credit transactions, you must contact your financial institution for withdrawal dates.

30. If I use the ACH debit method, may I make my authorization call early and not have my bank account debited until the due date?

Yes. Your payment information may be warehoused for up to 30 days. Your payment will not be withdrawn from your account until the date you specify as an effective date. If you use Fast-File, you may specify a requested payment date on or before the due date.

31. May I make multiple payments by EFT?

Yes. For the ACH debit method through the DRS service bureau, follow system instructions. If you use the ACH credit method, you initiate multiple payments by EFT through your originating bank.

32. What if an emergency prevents me from making a timely EFT payment using ACH?

You should contact the DRS EFT Unit immediately for instructions. You may be permitted to make your payment using the Fedwire method. If DRS is not satisfied an emergency exists, your payment by Fedwire will be treated as a late payment.

33. Is it possible to cancel or correct an EFT?

Yes. You can cancel or correct an ACH debit transaction made through the DRS service bureau before the cut-off time on the day you initiated the transaction by calling 1-800-669-3110. Contact the DRS EFT Unit if a payment error is discovered too late to change the EFT or if you need to cancel a payment made through Fast-File. For an ACH credit transaction, follow your bank’s instructions.

34. How do I report no tax due?

If you do not owe any tax, an EFT is not required. However, a return must be filed timely even if no payment is due.

35. How am I notified of underpayments?DRS will send you a bill.

All bills provide the name and telephone number of a contact person if you have questions.

36. May I pay bills by EFT?

Payments of bills for Connecticut withholding tax, corporation business tax, and insurance premiums tax must be remitted by check. For all other taxes, you may pay bills by EFT. However, to ensure proper application of the payment, a separate EFT must be made for each tax period. Fast-File is only for the timely payment associated with filing a current return for an eligible tax.

37. What if I make an overpayment?

If there is an overpayment, you will be notified or the funds will be refunded.

38. May I apply an EFT overpayment to my next return?

Yes. You may request to have the overpayment applied to your next EFT return.

39. When is my tax return due?

If you are required to pay your sales and use taxes by EFT, you must use Fast-File to file your tax return electronically. If you initiate a payment through Fast-File, you must complete your filing by 4:30 p.m. eastern time on the last banking day prior to the due date. If you do not initiate payment through Fast-File, your tax return is due on or before the due date. For taxes you are not required to file electronically, your return is filed timely if received or if the date shown by the U.S. Post Office cancellation mark is on or before the due date. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the next business day is the due date.

40. Is a penalty imposed for the late filing of a tax return if payment of the tax is timely made?

The Commissioner of Revenue Services may impose a $50 penalty for the late filing of any return or report required by law to be filed.

41. Are there exceptions to the requirement to file tax returns?

Yes. If you are an employer paying withholding tax by EFT, you are not required to file withholding coupons (Form CT-WH); however, you must still file quarterly and annual withholding tax reconciliations (Forms CT-941 and CT-W3). If an additional payment is due with Form CT-941, you may use Fast-File to file your Form CT-941 and make the payment electronically or you may make your payment by check with a paper return.

Taxpayers are not required to file estimated tax coupons for corporation business tax, insurance premium tax, or health care center tax, when they make estimated tax payments by EFT. If an additional payment is due with a corporation business tax, insurance premiums tax, or health care center tax return or with a request for extension of time to file the return, the payment must be made by check.

42. What should I do if I overreported or underreported a tax I paid by EFT?

You must amend your tax return in the same manner you would if you did not pay that tax by EFT. You must pay any additional tax due by check or money order with the amended return.

Effect on Other Documents: Information Publication 2002(17), Paying Taxes by Electronic Funds Transfer, is modified and superseded and may no longer be relied upon.

Effect of This Document: An Informational Publication is a document issued by DRS that addresses frequently asked questions about a current position, policy, or practice, usually in a less technical question and answer format.

For Further Information on EFT: Call the DRS EFT Unit at 860-297-4973, during business hours, Monday through Friday, or email the EFT Unit at  ct.eft@po.state.ct.us

Forms and Publications: Forms and publications are available anytime:

• Internet: Preview and download forms and publications from the DRS Website.
• Telephone: Call 860-297-4753 (from anywhere), or 1-800-382-9463 (in-state) and select Option 2 from a touch-tone phone.

IP 2003(25)
Multiple Taxes
Electronic Funds Transfer
Issued: 09/17/2003