The IRS E-file and Direct Pay systems are both down today, April 17th, Tax Day. It is an unhappy (and slightly grim) reminder to accountants to establish a policy — which I have held for the past 10 years or so — requiring all clients to submit signed e-file signature authorization forms by 6 pm on the day immediately prior to Tax Day. Personally, I insist on submitting all e-files before I go to bed that night (let’s be honest: by 2 or 3 am). I encourage you to do the same… next year!
In the meantime, this advice is being offered by CPA Practice Advisor. They will be posting updates throughout the day.
The credit card payment systems available through the IRS website appear to be functioning, however there is a fee associated with making those payments.If the website stays down, taxpayers are still responsible for making payment by midnight tonight. An obvious alternative is to head to the Post Office.The IRS has asked that efilers continue to proceed with their efiling, even if returns aren’t being accepted in short order.
Another bit of advice from my tax software company — usually we send state returns “linked” to the federal return so that if the IRS return is rejected, we have an opportunity to fix the underlying problem before the state return is submitted. However, in today’s case, all state returns should be sent “unlinked” so that they do not get caught up in the IRS system issues.
Source: IRS Direct Pay is Down, Efile System also Down | CPA Practice Advisor