How to Pay Taxes Owed in Connecticut 

 

 

You must pay taxes in Connecticut if you work or own a business in this state. To help you out, this post explains how to pay taxes online and through the mail. Then, it outlines your options if you cannot afford to pay. 

How to Pay CT Taxes Online

Individuals and businesses can pay taxes online through myconneCT. To get started, go to the eservices section of the DRS website. From there, follow the links under "Individual" or "Business" to make a payment without setting up an account. 

You can authorize a withdrawal from your bank account by supplying your account and routing number. Alternatively, you can pay by credit or debit card. There is a fee for paying with a card.

Note that you must set up an account to pay estimated quarterly taxes, look at your payment history, apply for a payment plan, or take other actions. To set up an account, select "Create a Username" under the Log-In button. To create an account, individuals need their tax ID or Social Security Number and last name. Then, you must verify your identity using a CT ID or your Federal Adjusted Gross Income from one of the last three years. 

Businesses must have their EIN and legal name. Then, you must prove your business identity with one of these 1) the PIN the DRS mailed to you when you registered your business, 2) a letter ID from a DRS notice, 3) one of the last three payments you made to the DRS, or 4) the tax due amount from one of the last three CT returns you filed.

How to Pay CT Taxes Through the Mail

The CT DRS has different mailing options for different types of state taxes and situations. Make sure you use the right address to ensure your payment gets credited correctly.

Individuals can mail income tax payments and returns to the following address:

Department of Revenue Services
State of Connecticut
PO Box 2977
Hartford, CT 06104-2977

You can mail payments with your CT individual income tax return or amended return. If you requested an extension, your tax payment is still due on the deadline, and you can mail it to the address above or pay online. 

Mail individual estimated tax payments with Form CT-1040ES to the following address:

Department of Revenue Services
State of Connecticut 
PO Box 2932
Hartford, CT 06104-2932

You can only pay passthrough-entity (PE) tax through the mail if you apply for a waiver of the electronic filing requirement. The waiver only lasts a year, and once you get it, you can mail your return and payment to the following:

Department of Revenue Services
State of Connecticut
PO Box 5019 
Hartford, CT 06102-5019

Make checks payable to the Commissioner of Revenue Series. note the year and return--for example, "2024 Form CT-1065" or "2024 1120SI"--on the memo line of the check.

How to Pay CT Taxes in Person

The CT DRS website does not explain whether or not you can pay state taxes in person. However, if you want an in-person meeting with a DRS employee, you can request a meeting Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. You can request a video meeting through MS Teams if preferred.

Most county and municipal offices seem to offer in-person payments for property taxes and/or other local taxes. To learn more about paying those taxes in person, contact the town hall or county government in your area.

How to Pay CT Taxes Over the Phone

The CT DRS does not offer a pay-by-phone option on its website. To reach the department by phone, call (800) 382-9463 or (860) 297-4911. 

You can also email [email protected] if you have questions, but don't send payment info in the email.

How to Pay CT Income Tax

You can pay individual income tax in CT online or through the mail as explained above. If you owe more than $1,000 after claiming credits or withholding, you generally must make quarterly estimated income tax payments. Both individuals and pass-through entities must pay the lesser of 100% of the previous year's tax or 90% of the current year's tax in quarterly payments, or they will incur a penalty.

How to Pay Estimated Taxes in Connecticut

You can pay your quarterly estimated tax payments online through myconneCT. Alternatively, send in your payments with Form CT-1040ES. If it's your first time making estimated payments, just go to the CT DRS website and download the form. Once you make your payment, the DRS will mail you payment vouchers for the next three quarters, and then, after that, they will send you payment stubs for the current year every January.

Estimated tax payments are due April 15th, June 15th, September 15th, and January 15th for the previous quarter. However, if you're a fisher or farmer, you can skip most of the quarterly payments and pay on January 15th. On that date, you must pay at least 66.67% of the tax due for the tax year or 100% of the tax owed in the previous year. If you file and pay all of your annual CT income tax by March 1 following the tax year, you won't incur any late penalties. 

How to Pay Sales Tax in CT

Before making any taxable sales, register your business through myconneCT. The DRS will send you a sales tax permit that you must display. Once your business is registered, set up an online account to file and pay your sales and use tax. You can pay with an automatic bank draft or credit/debit card. There is a fee for using a card.

In CT, sales tax returns are due on the last day of the month following the month of sales. For example, January's sales tax return is due on the last day of February. Businesses must pay sales tax online. They cannot mail a payment to the state.

How to Pay Withholding Tax

Businesses must withhold state income tax from their employees' paychecks. You must pay withholding tax online. Set up an account as explained above, and then, pay with a bank ACH debit or credit/debit card.

How to Pay a Tax Bill

If you don't pay your taxes or if the DRS assesses a tax against you during an audit, you will receive a tax bill. If that happens, you can pay online through eservices. You need the letter ID and banking details or a credit/debit card. If you don't have the letter ID, you must set up an online account for yourself or your business, and then, you can pay.

How to Make a Warrant Payment

If the state issues a tax warrant for unpaid taxes, you can make a payment online through the eservices portal. To do so, you need your Letter ID and Warrant ID. Then, you can pay by check or credit card. Generally, the warrant will not be removed until the payment clears.

What If You Can't Pay CT Taxes in Full?

If you cannot pay your taxes in full, you will incur penalties, but if you have a history of compliance or a compelling reason for paying late, you may be able to get penalty abatement. 

The state also offers payment plans and an offer-in-compromise program to qualifying taxpayers. A payment plan lets you make monthly payments over time, while an offer in compromise lets you settle for less than owed. 

Get Help with Connecticut Tax Problems

Want help with your CT taxes? Whether you're dealing with business or individual taxes, you should work with a tax pro who has experience with the unique laws and requirements in this state. To get help now, use Taxcure to search for a tax pro in Connecticut.