The IRS has one official payment portal where you can send money for federal income taxes, and it's the only site you should use
The IRS operates IRS Direct Pay, a free tool at irs.gov where you can pay federal income taxes directly from your bank account without a credit card, debit card, or third-party processor. You enter your bank routing and account number, choose a payment date up to 120 days in the future, and the IRS pulls the money from your account. No fees. No middleman. The transaction is encrypted and confirmed with a confirmation number you keep for your records.
This is different from using a payment processor like PayPal, Stripe, or a tax software company's payment tool. Those services charge convenience fees — usually 1.87% to 2.35% of the amount you pay — because they handle the transaction on your behalf. Direct Pay costs nothing because you're sending the money straight to the IRS's bank account.
You do not need to file a tax return to use Direct Pay. You can pay estimated taxes, back taxes, or taxes you owe after filing. The only requirement is that you have a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and a U.S. bank account.
Key Takeaways
- IRS Direct Pay is the official, free payment tool at irs.gov and charges no fees or convenience charges.
- You can schedule a payment up to 120 days in advance, which is useful if you want to time the withdrawal to your payday.
- Direct Pay works only with bank accounts — not credit cards or debit cards — and requires your routing number and account number.
- The IRS also offers payment plans (installment agreements) if you cannot pay the full amount at once, and those can be set up through the same site.
- Payments made through Direct Pay are recorded when ready, but the money may take one to three business days to leave your account.
What information you need before you start
Gather these items before you log in to Direct Pay. The process takes about 10 minutes if you have everything ready.
You need your Social Security number or ITIN, your date of birth, and your filing status (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, or may have access to widow or widower). You also need your bank's routing number and your account number — both appear on the bottom left of a check, or you can call your bank to ask.
If you are paying a tax bill that resulted from a return you filed, have your most recent tax return handy so you can confirm the amount you owe. If you are paying estimated taxes or a bill from an IRS notice, you can enter the amount directly.
How to make a payment through Direct Pay
Go to irs.gov/payments and select "Pay Now" under IRS Direct Pay. You will be asked to enter your Social Security number or ITIN and your date of birth. The IRS will then display any tax bills or balances on your account.
Choose the tax year and type of tax you are paying for — for example, 2024 Form 1040 (individual income tax) or 1040-ES (estimated tax). Enter the amount you want to pay. The system will show you the earliest date you can make the payment (usually the same day) and let you schedule it up to 120 days in advance.
Enter your bank's routing number and your account number. Select whether the account is checking or savings. Review the payment details, and the IRS will give you a confirmation number. Write this number down or take a screenshot — it is your proof that the payment was submitted.
The IRS records the payment when ready, but your bank may take one to three business days to process the withdrawal. If you schedule a payment for a future date, the IRS will process it on that date, and your bank will deduct the funds shortly after.
When Direct Pay is not an option
Direct Pay works only with U.S. bank accounts. If you do not have a bank account, or if you want to pay with a credit card or debit card, you will need to use a payment processor. The IRS lists approved processors on its payments page — currently including PayPal, Stripe, and others — and each charges a fee.
If you owe more than you can pay right now, do not skip Direct Pay in favor of a payment plan. You can set up an installment agreement through the same irs.gov/payments portal. Short-term plans (120 days or less) are free. Long-term plans charge a setup fee of $31 to $225 depending on how you set them up, but that fee is much lower than the convenience fee you would pay to use a card processor.
If the IRS has placed a levy on your bank account or wage, or if you are in an active dispute with the IRS, contact the IRS directly before attempting to pay online. A levy means the IRS has already claimed the funds, and a payment you make may be intercepted or applied differently than you expect.
Payment plans if you cannot pay in full
The IRS offers two types of installment agreements: short-term and long-term. A short-term plan lets you pay the full amount within 120 days with no setup fee. A long-term plan spreads payments over months or years and charges a setup fee.
You can set up either plan through irs.gov/payments under "Set Up a Payment Plan." The IRS will ask how much you owe, when you can make your first payment, and how often you want to pay (monthly, biweekly, or weekly). You can pay the plan through Direct Pay, automatic bank withdrawal, or a payment processor.
Long-term plans typically require monthly payments and charge interest and penalties on the unpaid balance until the debt is cleared. The setup fee ranges from $31 (if you set up automatic withdrawal) to $225 (if you set up the plan by phone). The IRS will tell you the total cost before you confirm.
Security and what happens after you pay
Direct Pay uses 128-bit encryption, the same standard used by banks. Your bank account number is not stored on the IRS website — it is transmitted directly to the IRS's payment processor and then deleted. You do not create a login or password; each time you pay, you authenticate with your Social Security number and date of birth.
After you submit a payment, the IRS sends a confirmation email to the address you provide. Keep this email and your confirmation number for your records. The payment will appear on your IRS account transcript within one to two business days, even though your bank may not deduct the funds for up to three days.
If you need to cancel or change a payment you scheduled for a future date, you can do so through Direct Pay up until the day before the scheduled payment. After that, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to request a cancellation or change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay someone else's taxes through Direct Pay?
No. Direct Pay requires you to authenticate with your own Social Security number or ITIN. If you want to pay someone else's tax bill, you can mail a check to the IRS with their name and Social Security number on it, or contact a tax professional or the IRS to discuss other options.
What if my payment fails or is rejected?
The IRS will notify you by email if a payment fails. Common reasons include insufficient funds, an incorrect routing or account number, or a frozen account. Correct the information and resubmit. If the problem persists, contact your bank to confirm the account is active and can receive electronic transfers.
Does paying through Direct Pay count as filing my tax return?
No. Paying taxes and filing a return are separate. You must file a return by the important date (usually April 15) even if you pay through Direct Pay. If you owe taxes, paying early does not extend your filing important date.
Can I use Direct Pay to pay state taxes?
No. Direct Pay is for federal taxes only. Each state has its own payment system. Search "[your state] tax payment" or visit your state's revenue or taxation department website to find the official state payment portal.
Is there a limit to how much I can pay through Direct Pay?
The IRS does not publish a maximum payment amount for Direct Pay. However, your bank may have limits on the size of a single electronic transfer. Contact your bank if you are paying a very large amount and want to confirm it can process the transaction.