How to Schedule a Payment to the IRS

How to set up a payment plan or one-time payment with the IRS

You can schedule a payment to the IRS through their official payment system without calling or visiting an office. The IRS accepts payments online, by phone, by mail, and through automatic bank withdrawals. Most people use the IRS Direct Pay system (free, no account needed) or the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS, which requires registration). Both let you pick the exact date your payment leaves your bank account, up to 120 days in advance.

If you owe more than you can pay at once, you can also set up a payment plan — either short-term (120 days or less) or long-term (installment agreement). The IRS charges a setup fee for installment plans, but you only pay it once. This section covers how to schedule a single payment; the section below covers payment plans.

Key Takeaways

IRS Direct Pay and EFTPS both let you schedule a payment up to 120 days ahead and choose the exact withdrawal date from your bank account.
IRS Direct Pay is free and requires no registration; EFTPS is also free but requires you to set up an account in advance.
You will need your Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number, the tax year the payment covers, and your bank account or routing number.
If you cannot pay in full, you can set up a short-term payment plan (pay within 120 days) or a long-term installment agreement (monthly payments over years), each with a one-time setup fee.
Payments scheduled through IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS are posted to your account within one business day of the withdrawal date.

Schedule a one-time payment using IRS Direct Pay

IRS Direct Pay is the fastest route for a single payment. Go to irs.gov/payments and select "IRS Direct Pay" from the payment options. You will enter your Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number, your filing status, the tax year, and the amount you want to pay. Then you provide your bank account and routing number (the IRS does not store this information after the transaction).

On the next screen, you choose your payment date. You can schedule the payment for today or up to 120 days from now. The IRS will show you the exact date the money will leave your account and when it will post to your tax record. Once you confirm, you receive a confirmation number when ready — write this down or save the email. The payment is locked in and cannot be changed after you submit it.

There is no fee for IRS Direct Pay. The money leaves your account on the date you chose and posts to the IRS within one business day. If you need to cancel, you must contact the IRS by phone at 1-800-829-1040 before the scheduled withdrawal date.

Schedule a payment using EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System)

EFTPS is the IRS's older system and works the same way as Direct Pay, but it requires you to register in advance. If you have already enrolled in EFTPS, log in at eftps.gov, select "Make a Payment," and follow the same steps: enter your tax information, bank details, and choose your payment date up to 120 days ahead.

If you have not registered yet, you can enroll at eftps.gov. The enrollment process takes about 10 minutes online, but the IRS will mail you a PIN to your address on file — this PIN arrives within two weeks. You cannot make a payment through EFTPS until you have received and activated your PIN. For this reason, EFTPS is better for people who know they will make regular tax payments and want to set up the system now.

Like Direct Pay, EFTPS charges no fee and lets you schedule payments up to 120 days in advance. The money withdraws on your chosen date and posts within one business day.

Pay by phone or mail if you cannot use online systems

If you do not have online banking access or prefer not to use it, you can pay by phone through the IRS's automated system at 1-800-829-1040. A representative can also take your payment over the phone, though wait times are often long. When you call, have your Social Security Number, the tax year, and the amount ready.

You can also mail a check or money order to the IRS. Include a payment voucher with your check — read Form 1040-ES (for individuals) or the appropriate form for your business type from irs.gov. Write your Social Security Number, the tax year, and the amount on the check itself. Mail it to the address shown on your tax notice or on the IRS website for your state. Mailed payments take 7 to 10 business days to post, so schedule accordingly if you have a important date.

Set up a short-term payment plan (pay within 120 days)

If you need more time but can pay within 120 days, you can request a short-term payment plan. Go to irs.gov/payments and select "Short-Term Extension" instead of a one-time payment. You will enter the same information as a regular payment, but instead of paying the full amount on one date, you choose how many installments you want and when each one is due.

The IRS charges a one-time setup fee for short-term plans — the amount varies but is typically $31 to $225 depending on how you set it up. There is no monthly fee after that. Once approved, you can schedule each payment individually through Direct Pay or EFTPS, or the IRS can automatically withdraw the amount on the dates you chose.

Set up a long-term installment agreement (monthly payments)

If you cannot pay within 120 days, you can request a long-term installment agreement. This lets you pay in monthly installments over several years. The IRS will calculate a monthly payment based on what you owe and how long you want to take to pay it off.

explore for an installment agreement through irs.gov/payments by selecting "Payment Plan" or by calling 1-800-829-1040. You will need to provide your income, expenses, and assets so the IRS can determine what you can afford. The setup fee is typically $31 to $225 (lower if you set up automatic withdrawals). Once approved, the IRS will automatically withdraw your monthly payment from your bank account on a date you choose, usually the 15th or the last day of the month.

If your financial situation changes, you can request to modify your payment amount or extend the agreement. The IRS charges a modification fee each time you make a change, so try to set a payment you can stick with.

What happens after you schedule a payment

Once your payment is scheduled, the IRS sends you a confirmation number and confirmation email (if you provided an email address). Keep this confirmation number — it proves you scheduled the payment if there is ever a dispute. You can check the status of your payment anytime by logging back into Direct Pay or EFTPS, or by calling 1-800-829-1040.

The money leaves your bank account on the exact date you chose. It posts to your IRS account within one business day. If you scheduled a payment for a future date and your circumstances change, you can cancel it through Direct Pay or EFTPS before the withdrawal date, or by calling the IRS. If you cancel, the IRS will not charge you a fee, but you will still owe the tax.

If you set up an installment agreement, the IRS will send you a notice showing your monthly payment amount, the due date, and the total number of payments. Keep this notice — it shows you are on an approved plan and protects you from collection action as long as you make your payments on time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I schedule a payment for a date that is more than 120 days away?

No. Both IRS Direct Pay and EFTPS allow scheduling up to 120 days in advance. If you need to pay further in the future, you can schedule the payment closer to the date, or you can set up a long-term installment agreement instead, which spreads payments over months or years.

What if I do not know my bank's routing number?

Your routing number is printed on the bottom left of your checks. You can also find it on your bank's website or by calling your bank. The IRS does not store this information after your payment is processed, so you will need to enter it each time you make a payment.

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

Yes, but only before the money leaves your account. Log back into Direct Pay or EFTPS and cancel the payment, or call 1-800-829-1040. Once the money has withdrawn, you cannot cancel it, but you can contact the IRS to request a refund if you overpaid.

Do I have to make automatic withdrawals, or can I schedule each payment manually?

You can do either. For a one-time payment, you schedule it once and it withdraws automatically. For an installment agreement, you can set up automatic monthly withdrawals, or you can log in each month and schedule the payment manually through Direct Pay or EFTPS. Automatic withdrawals are easier and the IRS may charge a lower setup fee if you choose that option.

What if I cannot afford my monthly installment payment?

Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and request a modification to your agreement. You can ask to lower your monthly payment or extend the length of the plan. The IRS will charge a modification fee, but they will work with you to find a payment you can manage. If you stop paying without requesting a modification, the IRS can take collection action.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.