You can access your federal tax account through a secure login at Once in your account, you can view the amount you owe along with details of your balance, view 18 months of payment history, access Get Transcript, and view key information from your current year tax return.

Why do I owe the state money?

You might owe state taxes because you have a different personal tax situation. Usually, if you got a refund the previous year, you should be able to have another one this year as long as you have the same situation. Therefore, if you owe taxes, the withholding situation that came into place may tell you why.

Can a state withhold money from the federal government?

States can only withhold amounts for their own income taxes, and not all states impose income taxes. Virtually all U.S. citizens are subject to federal withholding unless they had no tax liability at all in the previous year and they don’t expect a tax liability in the current year.

How can I find out how much I owe the IRS?

The IRS offers an online tool to help you figure out how much tax you owe. The tool shows the balance for each tax year including the principal amount and any penalties or interest. It also shows payments you’ve made in the last 18 months and your payoff amount.

Why do we have to pay federal and state taxes?

Federal taxes are collected by the U.S. government, while state taxes are collected and used by the specific state in which you earn income and live. In essence, taxes help support the country and communities we live in. Without them, the government wouldn’t be able to provide the services it does.

What happens if you owe money to the IRS?

If you get a notice from the IRS that you owe taxes, it will tell you the specific amount that is due. The notice also includes information on when to pay the balance and the methods of payment that are accepted. You will owe additional penalties, fees, and interest if you can’t pay the balance in full by the due date listed on the notice.