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Taxes » e-Services

Electronic Payment
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. What is EFT?
  2. What is ACH?
  3. What are the benefits of electronic payment?
  4. Who is required to pay tax electronically and for how long?
  5. When must I begin paying tax electronically?
  6. May I pay tax electronically even if I am not required to?
  7. Am I required to make estimated tax payments electronically?
  8. If I am required to pay electronically, am I also required to file an electronic return?
  9. Which taxes can I pay electronically?
  10. What payments can I make electronically?
  11. What is the difference between the ACH-Debit and ACH-Credit payment methods?
  12. How do I enroll to pay tax electronically?
  13. When will I receive my User ID and Password?
  14. How do I initiate my test transaction for ACH-Credit?
  15. When do I initiate my electronic payment?
  16. May I schedule my electronic payments in advance?
  17. What is payment warehousing?
  18. What if my electronic payment is late?
  19. How do I initiate my EFT payment?
  20. What is touchtone payment?
  21. What do I do if I make duplicate tax payments?
  22. How do I correct payment errors?
  23. What if my bank information changes?
  24. What if my tax number changes?
  25. Can tax payments be made by Fed Wire transfer?
  26. For what other agencies does the Department accept electronic payment?
  27. Whom do I call to get more information about electronic payment?

  1. What is EFT?

    EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) and electronic payment are used interchangeably by the Department to describe the transfer of funds, between accounts, by electronic means. When you pay your tax using EFT, funds are electronically transferred from your bank account to the Department's bank account. The specific methods of electronic payment (or EFT) honored by the Department are ACH-Debit, ACH-Credit, and Fed Wire transfers.

  2. What is ACH?

    Automated Clearing House - a nationwide payment and collection system which provides for the distribution and settlement of electronic financial transactions. In the ACH network, debits and credits are cleared electronically rather than through the physical movement of checks.

  3. What are the benefits of electronic payment?

    • Eliminates the possibility of lost or stolen checks
    • Eliminates postage expense and reduces the risk of late payments
    • Ensures rapid, timely, and accurate tax payments
    • Helps to ensure security and confidentiality for all transactions
    • Allows taxpayers to schedule future payments

  4. Who is required to pay tax electronically and for how long?

    The following taxpayers are obligated to pay tax electronically:

    • Businesses or individuals whose sales and use tax and/or solid waste and surcharge liability was $20,000 or more in the prior state fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). To determine the obligation, multiple accounts associated with the same federal identification number are treated as one.
    • Businesses that file consolidated returns for sales and use tax
    • Businesses whose communications services tax liability was $20,000 or more in the prior state fiscal year
    • Terminal Suppliers and Wholesalers of Fuel
    • Employers that filed unemployment tax for ten or more employees in any quarter of the prior state fiscal year
    • Any business or individual that filed unemployment tax for 100 or more employers in any quarter of the prior state fiscal year

    Taxpayers who are required to pay tax electronically must do so for the entire calendar year and for all subsequent calendar years in which they are obligated. Many taxpayers prefer the convenience of electronic payment and continue using it even when they are not required to do so.

  5. When must I begin paying tax electronically?

    If you are obligated to pay electronically with a sales and use tax liability of $20,000 to $199,999 or with other tax liabilities of $20,000 or more, you must begin paying electronically with your January return, due February 1.

    If you are obligated to pay electronically with a sales and use tax liability of $200,000 or more, you are also required to make estimated payments. You must begin paying electronically with your December return, due January 1.

    Generally, all taxpayers required to pay tax electronically must begin to do so with their first return of the calendar year following notification of their electronic payment requirement.

  6. May I pay tax electronically even if I am not required to?

    Yes. Any taxpayer may pay electronically regardless of the amount of their tax liability.

  7. Am I required to make estimated tax payments electronically?

    Yes. If you are required to pay estimated tax, you are required to make payment electronically.

    Sales Tax – New dealers and quarterly filers are not normally required to pay estimated sales tax. Only dealers who paid sales and use taxes of $200,000 or more during the state’s prior fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) must make estimated sales tax payments beginning the next calendar year.

    Corporate Income Tax – Every domestic or foreign corporation or other entity subject to taxation under the provisions of Chapter 220 or Chapter 221, Florida Statutes, must make a declaration of estimated tax for the taxable year if the amount of income tax liability and the amount of emergency excise tax liability for the year is expected to be more than $2,500. Generally, estimated tax must be paid on or before the 1st day of the 5th, 7th and 10th month of the taxable year and the 1st day of the 1st month of the following taxable year; 25 percent of the estimated tax must be paid with each installment.

    Insurance Premium Tax – An estimated tax shall be filed on April 15, June 15, and October 15 of each year which shows the estimated amount of tax due for the preceding quarter, except the June 15 installment shall be for the period ending June 30; payment of that estimated amount shall be made at the time the report is filed.

    For more information, please see the Calendar of Due Dates (Form DR-659)

  8. If I am required to pay electronically, am I also required to file an electronic return?

    Taxpayers who are required to pay electronically their sales and use tax, solid waste and surcharge, unemployment tax, communications services tax and fuel tax are also required to file their returns electronically. For more information about electronic filing, read the e-Services Program FAQs.

  9. Which taxes can I pay electronically?

    • Sales and Use Tax and Solid Waste and Surcharge
    • Unemployment Tax
    • Communications Services Tax
    • Fuel Tax
    • Corporate Income Tax
    • Corporate Intangible Tax
    • Severance Tax / Solid Minerals
    • Gross Receipts Tax
    • Oil and Gas Production Tax
    • Gas and Sulfur Production Tax
    • Mitigation Fees
    • Insurance Premium Tax
    • Pollutants Tax
    • Documentary Stamp Tax
    • All taxes, fees, and remittances collected by the Department for other agencies

  10. What payments can I make electronically?

    • Regular tax payments
    • Audit assessment payments
    • Bill payments
    • Estimated tax payments (corporate income tax, insurance premium, oil and gas, solid minerals)
    • Extension request payments (corporate income tax)
    • Returned item re-payments (to replace a failed ACH transmission)
    • Amended payments (for an additional amount)

  11. What is the difference between the ACH-Debit and ACH-Credit payment methods?

    A taxpayer initiating an ACH-Debit transaction tells the Department how much money and when to take it from the their bank account to pay taxes due. On the date indicated by the taxpayer, the Department's bank debits the specified amount from the taxpayer's bank account.

    A taxpayer initiating an ACH-Credit transaction tells their bank how much money and when to send it to the Department's bank account to pay taxes due. On the date indicated by the taxpayer, the Department's bank credits its account with the specified amount.

    Differences between ACH-Debit and ACH-Credit are listed below.

      ACH-Debit ACH-Credit
    Cost to Taxpayer No additional processing fees apply Taxpayer pays all processing fees
    Responsibility for Test Transaction State is responsible Taxpayer is responsible
    Responsibility for Confirming Prenote Accuracy State is responsible Taxpayer is responsible
    Payment Transfer Request Deadlines 5:00 p.m., ET, on the business day before the payment due date Varies - taxpayer must check with their bank for required deadlines
    Additional Requirements None Letter stating valid business reason for requesting ACH-Credit approval*

    *Valid reasons may include your use of the ACH-Credit method in other business related activities, or internal controls within your business regarding ACH transfers.

  12. How do I enroll to pay tax electronically?

    Enroll online using Enrollment/Authorization for e-Services.

  13. When will I receive my User ID and Password?

    Those tax filers who enroll online will receive their user information immediately upon successful enrollment. For all others, you will receive your user information approximately 2-3 weeks following enrollment.

  14. How do I initiate my test transaction for ACH-Credit?

    ACH-Credit filers are responsible for sending a test transaction before they will be allowed to use the ACH-Credit method. If you do not complete a timely, correct test transaction, you will be required to use the ACH-Debit method of payment.

    Test Transaction -Once approved by the Department and at least two weeks before your first payment due date, instruct your bank to send to the Department a one-cent ($.01) test transaction including Florida's authorized CCD+ addenda record containing the required tax information.

    Confirmation of test Transaction Accuracy - - Within three to four days of sending the test transaction, contact the Department to verify its accuracy. You will not be permitted to use ACH-Credit until an accurate test transaction has been received by the Department. Using an improper format may result in losing ACH-Credit privileges and in the assessment of penalties.

  15. When do I initiate my electronic payment?

    You must complete your electronic payment initiation before 5:00 p.m., ET, on the business day before the due date. If you are using software from an approved vendor, contact your vendor for any internal deadlines that may exist. For specific due dates, refer to the calendar.

    ACH-Credit filers are responsible for getting and following initiation deadlines set by their bank for ACH-Credit transfers. Banks vary on the dates you can request an ACH-Credit transfer. Money must be in the Department's bank on or before your EFT due date.

  16. May I schedule my electronic payments in advance

    Yes, ACH-Debit filers may schedule their payments as early as 30 days in advance using payment warehousing.

    ACH-Credit filers should contact their bank for deadlines and procedures.

  17. What is payment warehousing?

    Payment warehousing is when a taxpayer sends their electronic payment instructions and their tax return early, but the Department does not process the payment until the settlement date specified by the taxpayer (usually the due date of the payment).

  18. What if my electronic payment is late?

    If the circumstances were under your control or the control of your bank, the Department may assess monetary penalties for late payment. If the circumstances were not under your control, you may be requested to provide proof that you attempted to transfer funds in a timely manner. If your information proves that you did initiate a timely transfer, your record will be corrected.

  19. How do I initiate my EFT payment?

    If you are an ACH-Debit filer using Internet File and Pay or Software File and Pay, you may enter your payment information at the same time you electronically file your return.

    All other ACH-Debit filers will make their payment using the Department's telephone payment system. You will be prompted to provide the payment details. Upon completion of your telephone payment, you will receive a confirmation number. Maintain a record of your confirmation number. It must be supplied if your payment is late.

    ACH-Credit filers are responsible for getting and following initiation deadlines set by their bank for ACH-Credit transfers. Banks vary on the dates you can request an ACH-Credit transfer. Money must be in the Department's bank on or before your EFT due date.

  20. What is touchtone payment?

    Touchtone payment allows you to enter payment information using the keypad of a touchtone telephone. For more information, see Touchtone Services.

  21. What do I do if I make duplicate tax payments?

    ACH-Debit filers should contact their bank immediately and request that they reject the duplicate payment as a returned item, not a reversal. Check with your bank to see if fees apply.

    ACH-Credit filers should immediately contact their bank for specific instructions. Reversals are not permitted.

  22. How do I correct payment errors?

    ACH-Debit payments initiated by telephone can be cancelled up to 5 p.m., on the business day prior to the date you specified the debit to occur. Call the same number used to make your payment and speak to an operator about correcting your payment. If discovered after that time, contact the Department for assistance.

    ACH-Debit payments initiated using DOR's Internet file-and-pay system can be cancelled prior to 5 p.m. of the same day submitted. If discovered after that time, contact the Department for assistance.

    ACH-Credit payments can only be corrected by contacting your bank.

  23. What if my bank information changes?

    If using DOR Internet file-and-pay, enter the new banking information when you file and pay online. You must also submit to the Department an Enrollment/Authorization for e-Services with your new bank information.

    If using the telephone payment system, you may temporarily change your banking information for the payment you are making. Permanent changes must be submitted to the Department on an Enrollment/Authorization for e-Services.

  24. What if my tax number changes?

    You must re-enroll with your new tax number using the online Enrollment/Authorization for e-Services. Internet filers will receive new user information immediately upon completion of enrollment. All other filers will receive this information by mail within 2-3 weeks of enrollment.

  25. Can tax payments be made by Fed Wire transfer?

    Fed Wire transfers are permitted only in emergency situations that are determined to be beyond the taxpayer's control. Prior written approval from the Department is required for each emergency Fed Wire transfer. The approval will include detailed instructions which must be followed closely. A Fed Wire request must be received before 9 a.m., ET, on the day your payment is due. An approved Fed Wire must be initiated before 12 p.m., ET, on the day your payment is due.

  26. For what other agencies does the Department accept electronic payment?

    The Department accepts and processes payments for the following agencies. You must first contact the other agency and obtain an identification number before initiating any payment.

    Department of Management Services:

    • Retirement contributions, call the Division of Retirement at 850-414-6335
    • University health insurance premiums, call the Division of State Group Insurance at 921-4530 (Suncom 291-4530)

    Department of Business and Professional Regulation:

    • Alcoholic beverage and tobacco taxes, call the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco at 850-921-2152
    • Pari-Mutuel wagering taxes, call the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering at 850-413-0796

  27. Whom do I call to get more information about electronic payment?

    • Call your Local DOR Service Center, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., local time.

    • Call the Department of Revenue, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., ET:

      • For Unemployment Tax only, call 800-482-8293.

      • For all other taxes, call 800-352-3671.