What IRS Go Payment Is

IRS Go Payment is a service that lets you pay federal income taxes directly to the IRS using a debit card, credit card, or electronic bank transfer. The IRS does not process the payment itself — a third-party payment processor handles the transaction and charges you a fee. You can use it to pay taxes you owe on your return, make estimated tax payments, or pay a balance from a prior year.

The service is free to set up and use if you pay by electronic bank transfer. If you use a debit or credit card, the payment processor charges a convenience fee that varies depending on which processor you choose. The fee is separate from your tax payment and is not deductible.

IRS Go Payment is one of several ways to pay the IRS. It is not the only option, and it may not be the cheapest one depending on how you pay and whether you may have access to for other methods.

Key Takeaways

  • IRS Go Payment charges no fee if you pay by electronic bank transfer, but charges a convenience fee if you use a debit or credit card.
  • You can set up a payment in minutes using your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, but the payment takes one to three business days to reach the IRS.
  • The IRS assigns you a confirmation number when ready after you set up the payment, which you should save in case you need to verify it later.
  • Paying by electronic bank transfer through IRS Go Payment is usually cheaper than using a credit card, because credit card processors charge higher fees.

How to Set Up a Payment on IRS Go Payment

Go to the IRS Go Payment website at pay.gov and select the payment type you need: individual income tax, estimated tax, or a prior-year balance. You will need your Social Security number or ITIN, your filing status, and the exact amount you want to pay.

Choose your payment method: electronic bank transfer, debit card, or credit card. If you choose electronic bank transfer, you will enter your bank routing number and account number. The IRS Go Payment system will verify your bank information before you confirm the payment. If you choose a card, you will enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV.

Review the payment details and the fee (if any). The fee will be added to your total charge but will not be sent to the IRS — it goes to the payment processor. Confirm the payment. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Save this number. The payment will post to the IRS within one to three business days.

When Electronic Bank Transfer Costs Nothing

If you pay by electronic bank transfer through IRS Go Payment, there is no convenience fee. The IRS and the payment processor do not charge you anything beyond the tax amount itself. This makes electronic bank transfer the cheapest way to pay through IRS Go Payment.

The trade-off is timing. An electronic bank transfer takes one to three business days to reach the IRS, so you need to initiate the payment before your important date if you want it to post on time. If your important date is a Friday, you should pay by Wednesday at the latest to be safe. Weekends and federal holidays do not count as business days.

Credit Card and Debit Card Fees

If you pay by credit card or debit card through IRS Go Payment, the payment processor charges a convenience fee. The fee is a percentage of the payment amount and varies by processor. As of now, fees typically range from 1.87% to 2.35% of the payment, but this can change. You will see the exact fee before you confirm the payment.

The fee is charged to your card along with the tax payment. For example, if you owe $5,000 and the fee is 2%, you will be charged $5,100 total — $5,000 to the IRS and $100 to the processor. The fee is not deductible and does not reduce your tax liability.

Credit cards often offer rewards or cash back on purchases, which can offset part of the fee. Debit cards do not. If you are using a rewards credit card, calculate whether the rewards you earn will cover more than the convenience fee before you decide to pay by card.

How Payment Timing Works

When you set up a payment on IRS Go Payment, you choose the date you want the payment to post. You can schedule a payment for today or for a future date up to 120 days away. The IRS considers the payment made on the date you schedule it, not the date you enter the information.

If you schedule a payment for April 15 (the typical tax important date), the IRS will treat it as paid on April 15 even if the money does not reach the IRS until April 17 or 18. This means you can schedule a payment a few days before the important date and still be on time. However, if you schedule it for April 18 or later, you will be considered late, and the IRS will charge penalties and interest.

If you are unsure whether your payment will post in time, pay earlier rather than later. There is no penalty for paying early, and you avoid the risk of missing the important date.

What Happens After You Pay

The IRS assigns you a confirmation number as soon as you complete the payment setup. This number appears on your screen and in a confirmation email. Write down this number or save the email. You will need it if you ever need to verify that the IRS received your payment.

The payment will post to your IRS account within one to three business days. Once it posts, the IRS will update your account balance and send you a receipt. You can check the status of your payment by logging into your IRS account at irs.gov or by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

If you need to cancel a payment before it posts, you can do so through the IRS Go Payment website using your confirmation number. Once the payment has posted to the IRS, you cannot cancel it through IRS Go Payment. You would need to contact the IRS directly.

IRS Go Payment vs. Other Payment Methods

The IRS offers several ways to pay: IRS Go Payment, the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), payment by mail, and payment in person at a bank or retail location. Each method has different fees and timing.

EFTPS is a free service run directly by the IRS and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. It has no convenience fee, but it requires you to enroll in advance and takes one to three business days to post, just like IRS Go Payment. EFTPS is best if you make frequent tax payments or want to set up recurring payments.

Paying by mail is free but takes longer — the IRS may not receive your check for one to two weeks, and processing takes additional time. Paying in person at a bank or retail location is also free but requires you to visit a location in person. IRS Go Payment is faster and more convenient than mail or in-person payment, but it costs more if you use a card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a payment plan or installment agreement through IRS Go Payment?

No. IRS Go Payment is for paying the full amount you owe or making estimated tax payments. If you have set up a payment plan with the IRS, you must make those payments through EFTPS, by mail, or by calling the IRS. Contact the IRS to confirm which method your payment plan requires.

What if I enter the wrong bank account number?

IRS Go Payment verifies your bank information before you confirm the payment. If the account number is invalid, the system will reject it and ask you to re-enter it. If you accidentally confirm a payment to the wrong account, contact your bank when ready and then contact the IRS to report the error.

Can I get a refund of the convenience fee if I pay by card?

No. The convenience fee goes to the payment processor, not the IRS. The IRS does not refund convenience fees. If you believe you were charged incorrectly, contact the payment processor through the IRS Go Payment website.

Do I need to file a tax return to use IRS Go Payment?

No. You can use IRS Go Payment to pay estimated taxes, prior-year balances, or other tax obligations even if you have not filed a return yet. However, you will need your Social Security number or ITIN and the exact amount you want to pay.

Is IRS Go Payment find?

IRS Go Payment uses encryption and security protocols to protect your financial information. However, like any online payment system, it carries some risk. Never share your confirmation number or bank details with anyone claiming to be from the IRS. The IRS will never ask for this information by email or phone.