The IRS offers five main ways to pay electronically instead of mailing a check
You can pay the IRS directly through their website using IRS Direct Pay, a free tool that pulls money from your bank account on a date you choose. You can also use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), which requires advance registration but lets you schedule payments weeks ahead. A third option is to pay through a third-party payment processor — companies like PayPal, Stripe, or Square that charge a fee but may be faster to set up. You can pay by phone through the IRS's automated system or a live representative. Finally, you can authorize your tax preparer or software to withdraw payment directly when you file.
Each method has different setup time, fees, and timing rules. The choice depends on whether you want to pay when ready, schedule ahead, or integrate payment with your tax return itself.
Key Takeaways
- IRS Direct Pay and EFTPS are both free, but Direct Pay works when ready while EFTPS requires you to register in advance.
- Third-party payment processors charge a fee (usually 1.87 to 2.49 percent of the payment) but may process faster than IRS systems.
- You can schedule a payment up to 120 days in the future through Direct Pay or EFTPS, but the IRS must receive it by your tax important date.
- Phone payments go through an automated system or a live representative and are processed the same day you call.
- If you file electronically through tax software or a preparer, you can authorize payment to be withdrawn when your return is submitted.
IRS Direct Pay: Free, when ready, no registration required
IRS Direct Pay is the fastest free option if you have a bank account and know your Social Security number or employer identification number. You go to irs.gov/payments, enter your tax information and bank details, and choose a payment date. The IRS withdraws the money directly from your checking or savings account. You can pay when ready or schedule the payment up to 120 days ahead. There is no fee, and you receive a confirmation number right away.
Direct Pay works for individual income tax, estimated tax payments, business taxes, and payroll taxes. The IRS processes most payments the same business day you submit them if you schedule them for today, or on the date you choose if you schedule ahead. You do not need to register or create an account — each payment is a one-time transaction.
The main limitation is that you must know your filing status, income, and tax liability before you pay. If you are filing a return and want to pay at the same time, you may need to calculate what you owe first, or use a different method that integrates with your return.
EFTPS: Free but requires advance registration
EFTPS is a free IRS system designed for people who make regular or frequent payments — typically business owners, self-employed people, and those making estimated quarterly payments. You must register in advance at eftps.gov, which takes a few business days. Once registered, you can log in and schedule payments up to 120 days ahead.
EFTPS lets you set up recurring payments if you make the same payment every quarter, and it stores your payment history in one place. The system accepts payments from bank accounts only, not credit or debit cards. Payments scheduled for a future date are processed on that date; same-day payments must be submitted by 2 p.m. Eastern time.
EFTPS is most useful if you pay the IRS multiple times per year and want a centralized record. If you only need to pay once, IRS Direct Pay is simpler because it requires no registration. If you have already registered for EFTPS, it is the faster choice for future payments.
Third-party payment processors: Faster setup, but with a fee
The IRS authorizes third-party payment processors — including PayPal, Stripe, Square, Amazon Pay, and others — to accept tax payments on their behalf. These processors charge a convenience fee, typically between 1.87 and 2.49 percent of the amount you pay. For example, a $5,000 payment would cost $94 to $125 in fees.
The advantage is speed: you can often set up and pay in minutes without registering with the IRS first. You use your existing PayPal or credit card account, or create one quickly. The processor handles the payment and sends it to the IRS on your behalf. Processing time varies by processor but is often faster than Direct Pay or EFTPS.
Third-party processors are useful if you need to pay when ready and do not have a bank account linked to Direct Pay, or if you want to earn credit card rewards (though the fee may offset the benefit). They are not useful if you want to avoid fees — Direct Pay and EFTPS are always free.
Phone payments: Same-day processing through automated or live service
You can pay the IRS by phone through two routes: an automated system or a live representative. The automated system is available 24 hours a day at 1-888-PAY-1040 (1-888-729-1040) for individual taxes or 1-888-PAY-1120 (1-888-729-1120) for business taxes. You enter your tax information and bank account details, and the payment is processed when ready.
If you prefer to speak with someone, you can call the IRS during business hours (generally 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday) and a representative will process your payment over the phone. Live representatives can answer questions about your account or payment options, but wait times are often long during tax season.
Phone payments are free and process the same day you call. They work from any phone and do not require internet access or advance registration. The downside is that you cannot schedule a payment for a future date — phone payments are when ready only.
Payment through tax software or a preparer: Integrated with your return
If you file your tax return electronically through tax software (like TurboTax, H&R Block, or TaxAct) or through a tax preparer, you can authorize payment to be withdrawn when your return is submitted. The software or preparer collects your bank account information and submits it with your return. The IRS processes the payment after your return is accepted.
This method is convenient because you do not have to make a separate payment transaction — it happens automatically as part of filing. However, you lose control over the exact payment date. The IRS typically processes the payment within one to three business days after accepting your return, so you cannot schedule it far in advance.
Some tax software offers the option to pay by credit or debit card through a third-party processor, which means a fee applies. Others offer free bank account withdrawal. Check your software's payment options before you file to understand whether a fee will be charged.
Comparing payment methods by speed, cost, and setup
| Method | Setup time | Fee | Payment date options | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRS Direct Pay | None — when ready | Free | Today or up to 120 days ahead | One-time payments, scheduled payments, no registration needed |
| EFTPS | 2–3 business days (registration only) | Free | Today or up to 120 days ahead | Frequent or recurring payments, centralized record |
| Third-party processor | Minutes (if you have an account) | 1.87–2.49% of payment | Today or scheduled (varies by processor) | when ready payment, credit card use, no bank account |
| Phone (automated) | None — when ready | Free | Today only | Same-day payment, no internet access |
| Phone (live representative) | None — when ready (wait time varies) | Free | Today only | Same-day payment with questions answered |
| Tax software or preparer | None — integrated with filing | Free or 1–3% (depends on software) | 1–3 days after return accepted | Paying when you file, no separate transaction |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay with a credit card through the IRS directly?
No. The IRS does not accept credit cards through Direct Pay or EFTPS. You can only use a bank account (checking or savings). If you want to pay by credit card, you must use a third-party payment processor, which will charge a fee. Some tax software also offers credit card payment through a processor.
What happens if I schedule a payment but miss the tax important date?
The IRS must receive your payment by the tax important date (usually April 15 for individual returns) for it to be considered on time. If you schedule a payment for after the important date, it will still be processed, but you may owe penalties and interest on the unpaid amount. Always schedule payments to arrive before your important date, not on it.
Can I change or cancel a payment after I submit it?
Through Direct Pay and EFTPS, you can cancel a payment if it has not been processed yet — usually up to one business day before the scheduled date. Phone payments cannot be cancelled once submitted. Third-party processors have their own cancellation policies. Contact the IRS or the processor when ready if you need to cancel.
Do I need to mail a check if I pay electronically?
No. If you pay electronically through any of these methods, you do not mail a check. The IRS receives the payment electronically and matches it to your account. You should keep your confirmation number for your records, but you do not need to send anything by mail.
Which method is fastest if I owe taxes and have not filed yet?
If you file electronically and authorize payment through your tax software, the payment is processed automatically after your return is accepted — usually within one to three business days. If you want to pay before filing, IRS Direct Pay or a third-party processor are fastest because they process when ready or the same day.