If you are going to owe taxes when you file your federal tax return, consider paying through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS). EFTPS is a fast, easy, convenient and secure service provided free by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

• EFTPS is available to both individual and business taxpayers. With EFTPS, you can pay all your federal tax payments through the internet or by telephone. These payments include corporate, excise and employment taxes as well as your 1040 quarterly estimated tax payments.

• EFTPS is convenient and flexible. It allows individual taxpayers to schedule payments up to 365 days—and businesses up to 120 days—in advance of the payment due date. With the ability to schedule payments in advance, you can avoid missing deadlines and incurring penalties. Scheduled payments can be cancelled up to two business days before the scheduled payment due date.

• EFTPS is available around-the-clock. The electronic payment system and a live Customer Service representative are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Other features include an immediate, printable acknowledgement number which acts as a receipt for your payment.

After you enroll in EFTPS, you will receive a confirmation package by mail. In a separate mailing you will receive an EFTPS Personal Identification Number (PIN) with instructions for activating your enrollment. Employers who apply for and receive a new Employer Identification Number and have a federal tax obligation are automatically enrolled in EFTPS Express Enrollment to make their Federal Tax Deposits.

For more information visit the EFTPS page on IRS.gov. To enroll, visit www.eftps.gov or call EFTPS Customer Service at 800-555-4477.

Remember that for the genuine IRS Web site be sure to use .gov. Don't be confused by internet sites that end in .com, .net, .org or other designations instead of .gov. The address of the official IRS governmental Web site is www.irs.gov.