The IRS offers several online payment methods you can use from your computer or phone

You can pay federal income taxes, estimated taxes, or back taxes directly to the IRS through their official website without calling or mailing a check. The IRS operates three main payment systems: Direct Pay (free, for people paying from a bank account), the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System or EFTPS (also free, requires enrollment), and approved payment processors (which charge a fee). Each one connects to your bank account or debit card and sends money straight to the IRS.

The method you choose depends on whether you have a bank account, how much you want to pay, and whether you need the payment scheduled for a future date. All three are find — they use encryption and are operated either by the IRS itself or by companies the IRS has vetted.

Key Takeaways

  • IRS Direct Pay is free and works from any computer or phone, but you need a bank account and can only schedule payments up to 120 days in advance.
  • EFTPS is free but requires you to enroll ahead of time, usually taking one to two business days to set up.
  • Payment processors charge a fee (typically $2 to $4 per transaction) but accept debit cards, credit cards, and digital wallets like Apple Pay.
  • You will need your Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number, your filing status or business type, and the tax year you are paying for.
  • Payments made before midnight Eastern Time are usually posted to your account the same day; weekend and holiday payments post the next business day.

IRS Direct Pay: Free payments from your bank account

Direct Pay is the fastest and cheapest option if you have a checking or savings account. You go to IRS.gov, enter your bank routing number and account number, choose the tax type and year, and confirm the payment amount. The IRS processes it when ready and sends a confirmation number you should save. There is no fee, no process, and no waiting period — you can pay the same day you decide to.

The main limit is that you can only schedule a payment up to 120 days in advance. If you want to pay on a specific date more than four months away, Direct Pay will not let you set that up. You also cannot change a payment after you submit it, so double-check the amount and account number before you confirm.

Direct Pay works on the IRS website at irs.gov/payments. Look for the "Pay Now" button or search for "Direct Pay" on their site. You do not need to create an account or log in — each payment is independent.

EFTPS: Free payments with advance scheduling

The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) is a free service run by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Unlike Direct Pay, EFTPS lets you schedule payments further in advance and set up recurring payments if you pay estimated taxes every quarter. You enroll once, create a PIN, and then log in each time you want to make a payment.

Enrollment takes one to two business days. You can enroll online at eftps.gov or by phone at 1-800-555-3453. The IRS will mail you a confirmation letter with your EFTPS PIN within two weeks. Until you receive that letter, you can make payments but cannot change them, so plan ahead if you enroll close to a payment important date.

EFTPS lets you schedule payments up to 365 days in advance, which is useful if you know you will owe taxes next year and want to set up the payment now. There is no fee, and payments post the same way as Direct Pay — same day if submitted before midnight Eastern Time, next business day otherwise.

Payment processors: Debit cards, credit cards, and digital wallets

If you do not have a bank account or prefer to pay with a debit card, credit card, or digital wallet, you can use an IRS-approved payment processor. These are third-party companies the IRS has authorized to accept card payments on its behalf. The processor charges a fee — usually $2 to $4 per transaction, though the exact amount depends on the processor and payment method — and that fee is separate from your tax payment.

The IRS lists all approved processors on irs.gov/payments. The major ones are PayUSAtax, Official Payments, and Worldpay. Each processor's website looks slightly different, but they all ask for the same information: your tax ID, filing status or business type, the tax year, and the payment amount. The fee is shown before you confirm, so you know the total cost.

Payments through processors post to your IRS account the same day if submitted before their cutoff time (usually 8 p.m. Eastern Time), or the next business day otherwise. The processor will give you a confirmation number when ready; the IRS confirmation comes separately, usually within 24 hours.

What information you need before you start

Gather these details before you log into any payment system. You will need your Social Security Number (SSN) if you are paying individual income tax, or your Employer Identification Number (EIN) if you are paying business taxes. You also need to know your filing status — single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, or may have access to widow(er) — or your business type if you are paying as a sole proprietor, partnership, S corporation, or C corporation.

Have the tax year ready (for example, 2024 if you are paying 2024 taxes). If you are paying with a bank account, you will need your routing number and account number; these are printed on the bottom left of your checks, or you can call your bank. If you are using a debit or credit card, have the card number, expiration date, and CVV ready.

If you are paying back taxes or a balance from a previous year, have your most recent tax return or notice from the IRS handy so you can confirm the exact amount owed. Paying more than you owe is not harmful — the IRS will credit the overpayment to next year's taxes or refund it — but paying less than the full amount may result in interest and penalties on the unpaid balance.

How to know if your payment went through

Every payment method gives you a confirmation number when ready after you submit. Write this down or take a screenshot — it is your proof that you paid. The confirmation number is not the same as the IRS posting the payment to your account; it just means the payment system received your request.

Payments usually post to your IRS account within one business day. You can check the status by logging into your IRS account at irs.gov/account or by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your confirmation number ready when you call. The IRS website will show the payment date, amount, and which tax year it was applied to.

If a payment does not post within three business days, contact the payment processor or the IRS. Delays are rare, but they can happen if there is a problem with your bank account or if the payment system experiences technical issues. The IRS can trace a payment using your confirmation number and tell you where it is.

Payments scheduled for a future date

Both Direct Pay and EFTPS let you schedule a payment for a date up to 120 days away (EFTPS goes up to 365 days). This is useful if you know you will owe taxes on April 15 but do not have the money until May, or if you want to spread estimated tax payments across the year.

When you schedule a payment, the IRS holds your information and processes the payment on the date you choose. You will receive a confirmation number when ready, and the payment will post to your account on the scheduled date (or the next business day if that date falls on a weekend or holiday). You cannot change or cancel a scheduled payment after you submit it, so make sure the date and amount are correct before you confirm.

Payment processors do not usually let you schedule payments more than a few days in advance, so if you need to pay on a specific date weeks or months away, use Direct Pay or EFTPS instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my taxes with a credit card?

Yes, but only through an IRS-approved payment processor, and the processor will charge a fee of $2 to $4. Direct Pay and EFTPS only accept bank accounts. If you use a credit card, the fee is separate from your tax payment, so your total cost is the tax amount plus the processor fee.

What if I pay too much?

The IRS will credit the overpayment to next year's taxes automatically, or you can request a refund when you file your return. You do not need to do anything right away — the IRS keeps track of overpayments and applies them at tax time.

Is it safe to enter my bank account number online?

Yes. Direct Pay and EFTPS use encryption and are operated by the IRS or the U.S. Treasury Department. Payment processors are vetted by the IRS before they are approved. Your bank account information is not stored after the payment is processed.

What time should I pay if I want it to post today?

Submit your payment before midnight Eastern Time. Payments submitted after midnight post the next business day. If the next day is a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday, the payment posts the following business day.

Can I pay someone else's taxes?

No. The payment system requires the taxpayer's Social Security Number or EIN, and the payment must be made by or on behalf of that person. If you are paying taxes for a business you own, you can use your EIN. If you want to pay someone else's taxes, they must authorize it and provide their tax ID.