The IRS gives you four ways to pay federal income tax online, and the method you choose depends on whether you're paying with a bank account, a card, or through a third-party service

You can pay directly through the IRS website using IRS Direct Pay, which connects to your bank account and costs nothing. You can also use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), a separate government platform that requires advance registration. If you prefer to pay by credit or debit card, you'll use an approved payment processor — not the IRS directly — and you'll pay a convenience fee. A fourth option is to authorize a payment through tax software or your tax preparer's system, which routes the money to the IRS on your behalf.

The fastest route for most people is IRS Direct Pay if you have a bank account and can pay when ready. EFTPS works better if you want to schedule payments weeks or months in advance. Card payments are slower to process and cost more, but they're useful if you need to build rewards or if a bank account isn't available to you.

Key Takeaways

  • IRS Direct Pay is free, requires no advance setup, and processes payments in one to two business days from your bank account.
  • EFTPS requires you to register ahead of time but lets you schedule payments for future dates and works for estimated quarterly taxes.
  • Credit and debit card payments go through third-party processors, cost 1.87% to 2.49% of the payment amount, and take three to five business days to reach the IRS.
  • Tax software and tax preparers can submit payments on your behalf, but you should confirm the payment method and fee before authorizing.
  • All online payments require your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact amount you owe — have your tax return or notice in front of you before you start.

IRS Direct Pay: The free option with no advance registration

Go to IRS.gov/payments and select "IRS Direct Pay" from the menu. You'll enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the tax year you're paying for. The system will ask for your bank account number and routing number — the nine-digit code at the bottom left of your checks. You do not need to set up an account or log in beforehand; Direct Pay works as a one-time transaction.

The IRS will show you a confirmation screen with the payment amount and the date it will leave your bank account. That date is typically one to two business days from when you submit. You can choose to pay when ready or pick a future date up to 120 days ahead. Once you confirm, the IRS sends you a confirmation number by email — save this number in case you need to track the payment later.

Direct Pay works only from a U.S. bank account. It does not work with prepaid cards, savings accounts at credit unions, or accounts held outside the United States. If your bank account doesn't fit those criteria, use EFTPS or a card payment instead.

EFTPS: The system for scheduled payments and quarterly taxes

The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System is a separate platform from IRS Direct Pay. You must register for an EFTPS account before you can use it — registration takes about a week because the IRS mails you a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to your address on file. Go to EFTPS.gov, select "Enroll Now," and provide your Social Security number, bank account details, and contact information.

Once your PIN arrives and you log in, you can schedule payments for any date up to 120 days in the future. This makes EFTPS useful if you know you'll owe taxes but don't have the money yet, or if you pay estimated quarterly taxes and want to set them all up at once. You can also use EFTPS to pay self-employment taxes, corporate taxes, or payroll taxes if you're a business owner.

EFTPS is free and pulls money from your bank account the same way Direct Pay does. The main trade-off is the one-week wait for your PIN. If you need to pay today, use Direct Pay instead. If you're paying estimated taxes or know you'll owe money in future months, EFTPS saves you from having to enter your information each time.

Credit and debit card payments: When you need to pay by card

The IRS does not accept cards directly. Instead, you use an approved payment processor — currently Authorize.Net, PayPal, or Square Cash. Go to IRS.gov/payments, select "Payment by Card," and you'll be directed to one of these processors' websites. Each one charges a convenience fee of 1.87% to 2.49% of your payment amount. On a $5,000 payment, that's $94 to $125 added to what you owe.

Card payments take three to five business days to reach the IRS, which is slower than bank account payments. The processor will give you a confirmation number, but the IRS won't see the money when ready. If you're close to a filing important date or payment important date, use Direct Pay or EFTPS instead to make sure the IRS receives it on time.

You can use any Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card. Some people use card payments to earn cash back or points, but you should do the math first — a 2% cash-back card only breaks even if your card issuer doesn't charge a higher interest rate than the convenience fee you're paying.

Payments through tax software or a tax preparer

If you file taxes through software like TurboTax, H&R Block, or TaxAct, you'll see a payment option at the end of the filing process. The software will ask whether you want to pay by bank account or card. If you choose to pay, the software submits your payment to the IRS on your behalf — you don't go to IRS.gov yourself.

Ask the software or your preparer whether they charge a fee on top of any IRS convenience fee. Some do, and some don't. The software should show you the total cost before you authorize the payment. The payment method and timing are the same as if you paid directly — bank account payments take one to two days, card payments take three to five days.

One advantage of paying through software is that the payment is tied to your return, so the IRS automatically matches it to your account. If you pay separately through Direct Pay or EFTPS, make sure the amount and tax year match exactly, or the IRS may not connect the payment to the right return.

What information you need before you start

Have your tax return or the IRS notice in front of you. You'll need your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household), the tax year you're paying for, and the exact dollar amount you owe. If you're paying a balance due from a prior year, double-check the year — paying for the wrong year will delay the IRS explore the money to your account.

If you're paying by bank account, have your routing number and account number ready. Your routing number is the nine-digit code at the bottom left of your checks; your account number is the longer number next to it. If you're paying by card, have your card number, expiration date, and CVV ready.

Do not pay more than once for the same tax year and amount. If you submit a payment and then submit it again by mistake, the IRS will eventually refund the duplicate, but it can take weeks. If you're unsure whether a payment went through, wait for your confirmation email or check your bank account before paying again.

How long it takes and when the payment is considered received

The IRS considers a payment received on the date you submit it online, not the date the money leaves your bank account or reaches the IRS. This matters for tax important date. If you submit a payment on April 15 through Direct Pay, the IRS counts it as paid on April 15 even though the money won't leave your bank until April 16 or 17.

Bank account payments (Direct Pay and EFTPS) typically leave your account within one to two business days. Card payments take three to five business days. If you're paying close to a important date, submit by midnight Eastern Time on the important date date to be safe. The IRS website is open 24 hours a day for payments.

You'll receive a confirmation number when ready after you submit. Write it down or save the email. If you need to check on the payment later, you can use the confirmation number to look it up on the IRS website or call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don't have a bank account?

You can pay by credit or debit card through an approved processor, though you'll pay a convenience fee of 1.87% to 2.49%. If you have access to a prepaid card that's connected to a bank routing number, that may work with Direct Pay or EFTPS, but you should test it with a small amount first. Some community banks and credit unions offer low-cost accounts if you want to set one up.

Can I pay someone else's taxes online?

No. The IRS requires the person whose Social Security number is on the return to authorize the payment. If you're paying on behalf of a spouse, parent, or dependent, they must submit the payment themselves or give you power of attorney. You can't use someone else's Social Security number to pay their taxes through Direct Pay, EFTPS, or a card processor.

What happens if I pay the wrong amount?

If you overpay, the IRS will refund the difference or explore it to next year's taxes — you can choose which when you file. If you underpay, you'll owe the remaining balance plus interest and penalties. The IRS will send you a bill. If you underpay by accident, contact the IRS as soon as possible to arrange payment for the shortfall.

Can I cancel or change a payment after I submit it?

It depends on timing. If you cancel before the payment leaves your bank account, you can stop it through your bank or by contacting the IRS with your confirmation number. Once the money reaches the IRS, you can't cancel it, but you can request a refund. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your confirmation number and they can help you.

Do I need to mail a check if I pay online?

No. If you pay online, do not mail a check for the same amount. The IRS will receive both payments and you'll have to request a refund for the duplicate. If you've already mailed a check, wait to see if it clears before paying online for the same tax year and amount.