Managing your Payment Methods in TaxCloud

Overview

Adding a payment method ensures your TaxCloud account can process subscription payments and (for SST states) fund tax returns. You can add both credit cards and ACH bank accounts, and set a default payment method for billing.

We recommend having both a credit card and a bank account on file to avoid unnecessary fees.

We’ve created a short walkthrough that shows exactly how to add and manage payment methods in your TaxCloud account. The video also explains important nuances and fees (like when TaxCloud uses your credit card vs. bank account, how defaults work, and when a 7% fee may apply) that are good to know.

https://www.loom.com/share/3a922e014d3b4303a2e69c5b0984ae32?sid=8a155447-15d4-41e0-a9b1-33d24ff6b17d

Step 1: Navigate to Payment Methods

1. Log in to your TaxCloud account.

2. On the left-hand side menu, click Settings → Payment Methods.

   

Step 2: Add a Payment Method

1. Click Add Payment Method.

2. Choose to add either a Credit Card or an ACH Bank Account. You can add multiple payment methods (for example, a credit card and a bank account).

   

Step 3: Set Your Default Payment Method

If you have more than one payment method, select which one should be your Default. The Default Payment Method will be used for your:

• Annual TaxCloud subscription
• SST Filing fees
• TaxCloud Subscription overages

:::tip Many merchants set a credit card as the default to earn card rewards. Subscription payments made with credit cards do not incur extra fees.

:::

Step 4: Add a Bank Account for Tax Filing

If you use TaxCloud for filing your returns, you must add a bank account (ACH).

Non-SST Merchant Filing States

TaxCloud does not pull tax funding for non-SST filings that you have indicated to self-file. Payments for these states must be made directly in each state’s portal, using your own bank account on file there.

:::info Non-SST TaxCloud Direct Filing

TaxCloud does Direct Filing for these non-SST states if you want us to. Please see how we handle payment for that here.

:::

SST Filing States

TaxCloud pulls tax funding directly from your bank account for SST filings. If no bank account is on file or there is an issue with it, your credit card will be used instead and you’ll incur a 7% credit card convenience fee. To avoid this fee, always add and ensure your bank account is able to process ACH payments in addition to your credit card.

:::info Changing your default payment method here does not change the bank account used to fund Direct File returns. To update that, email Support your ACH details as a password-protected PDF, using your Merchant ID # as the password.

:::

For more on how each payment method is used, see How Payment Methods Are Used For Billing and Tax Funding.

How do I change my default payment method?

You can add multiple payment methods to your TaxCloud account. To select/change your default payment method, click Settings > Payment Methods.

Click the menu button for the payment method you'd like to make default, then select Set As Primary. The default Set as Primary option will only appear in your account if you have added a secondary payment method.

Troubleshooting Payment Method Issues

Sometimes you may see that a bank account is set as your primary payment method, but your credit card is being charged instead, this usually means TaxCloud has been unable to debit the bank account. Common reasons include:

• A failed debit attempt in the past
• The bank has a block on ACH debits
• A prior chargeback occurred on that account

Once one of these issues happens, TaxCloud can no longer process payments from that bank account.

How to Fix It

To restore ACH functionality:

1. Go to Settings → Payment Methods.
2. Delete the existing bank account from your saved payment methods.
3. Re-add the bank account as a new payment method.

Once re-added, you can designate it as your primary billing option again.

:::info Important: Until the bank account is re-added, TaxCloud will continue charging your credit card for billing and tax funding.

:::