You can pay federal income taxes directly to the IRS through their official website, by phone, or through a third-party payment processor they authorize.

The IRS accepts online payments through IRS Direct Pay (their free tool), the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), or approved payment processors like PayPal, Venmo, and credit card companies. Each route works differently, costs different amounts, and connects to different parts of your tax account. The fastest is usually IRS Direct Pay if you have a bank account, because it's free and the IRS confirms receipt when ready.

You'll need your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, the tax year you're paying for, and either your bank account details or a debit or credit card. If you're paying a balance from a tax return you already filed, have that return in front of you — the IRS will ask for the amount you owe and the date you filed.

Key Takeaways

  • IRS Direct Pay is free and works if you have a U.S. bank account; the IRS confirms your payment within one business day.
  • EFTPS is also free but requires you to enroll in advance, usually taking one to two business days before you can make your first payment.
  • Third-party payment processors charge a fee (usually 1.87% to 2.49% of the amount you pay) but let you use a credit card or debit card when ready.
  • Payments made before midnight Eastern Time are typically processed the same day; payments after midnight are processed the next business day.
  • The IRS sends a confirmation number when ready after you submit payment online, which you should save for your records.

IRS Direct Pay: The Free Option for Bank Accounts

IRS Direct Pay is the IRS's own payment tool and costs nothing. You go to irs.gov, find the Direct Pay link, and enter your Social Security Number, filing status, and the tax year you're paying for. The system pulls up what you owe and lets you schedule a payment for today or up to 120 days in the future.

You'll need your bank account number and routing number (both appear on the bottom left of any check you write). The IRS deducts the payment directly from your account on the date you choose. You get a confirmation number on screen when ready and can print or save it. The money typically leaves your account within one to three business days, depending on your bank.

Direct Pay works only with U.S. bank accounts — not credit cards, debit cards, or accounts held outside the United States. If you don't have a bank account or prefer to use a card, you'll need to use EFTPS or a third-party processor instead.

EFTPS: The Free Option That Requires Advance Setup

The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) is also free but requires you to register before you can make a payment. You enroll at eftps.gov with your Social Security Number, and the IRS mails you a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to your address on file. This usually takes one to two weeks. Once you have your PIN, you can log in and schedule payments.

EFTPS works with bank accounts only, just like Direct Pay. The main difference is that EFTPS lets you schedule recurring payments and set up automatic payments for future tax years if you want. If you pay taxes regularly — as a self-employed person or a business owner — EFTPS can save you time by letting you set up a payment schedule once and let it run.

Because EFTPS requires advance enrollment, it's not the right choice if you need to pay today. Use Direct Pay instead. EFTPS makes sense if you know you'll be paying taxes regularly and want one login for all your payments.

Third-Party Payment Processors: The Option for Credit and Debit Cards

If you want to pay with a credit card or debit card, you must use a third-party payment processor that the IRS authorizes. These companies charge a fee — typically between 1.87% and 2.49% of the amount you pay — but they let you pay when ready without waiting for enrollment or mailing a PIN.

The IRS lists all authorized processors on irs.gov. The most common are PayPal, Venmo, and payment processors run by major credit card companies. Each one has its own website or app. You log in, enter the amount you owe and your tax information, and choose your payment method. The processor charges the fee to your card along with the tax payment, so if you owe $1,000 and the fee is 2%, you'll be charged $1,020 total.

The fee is not deductible as a tax expense, and the processor sends the money to the IRS, not directly to your account. You'll get a confirmation number from the processor, and the IRS will send you a separate notice once the payment arrives. This usually takes three to five business days.

Paying by Phone or Mail if You Don't Want to Use a Website

If you prefer not to pay online, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and speak to a representative who can take your payment information over the phone. They'll use the same payment processors available online, so you'll still pay a fee if you use a card. The call is free, but the payment fee applies the same way.

You can also mail a check or money order to the IRS. Write your Social Security Number, the tax year, and the form number (usually 1040 for individual income tax) on the check. Mail it to the address listed on your tax return or on irs.gov. Mailed payments take two to three weeks to reach the IRS and be posted to your account, so this method is not useful if you're close to a important date.

What Happens After You Submit Your Payment

After you submit a payment online, you'll see a confirmation number on your screen. Write this down or take a screenshot — you'll need it if you ever have to prove you paid. The confirmation number is not the same as a receipt; it's proof that the IRS received your submission.

The IRS typically posts the payment to your account within one to three business days if you paid by bank account, or three to five business days if you paid through a third-party processor. You can check the status of your payment by logging back into the payment tool you used or by calling the IRS. Do not assume a payment is lost if you don't see it posted when ready; the IRS processes payments in batches.

Once the payment is posted, the IRS will send you a notice showing the new balance on your account. If you overpaid, the IRS will either refund the overpayment or let you explore it to a future tax year, depending on what you request.

Paying Taxes You Owe Before Filing Your Return

If you know you'll owe taxes when you file but haven't filed yet, you can still pay online using any of these methods. You'll need to know the amount you expect to owe. The IRS will hold the payment and explore it once you file your return. Make a note of your confirmation number and keep it with your tax documents.

Paying before you file does not change your filing important date. You still need to file your return by the important date (usually April 15 for the prior year's taxes), even if you've already paid. Paying early just means you won't owe interest or penalties on that amount while you're preparing your return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay the IRS with a credit card if I use IRS Direct Pay?

No. IRS Direct Pay only accepts bank account payments and is free. If you want to pay with a credit card, you must use a third-party processor, which will charge you a fee of roughly 2%. Direct Pay is the cheapest option if you have a bank account.

What if I pay the wrong amount or pay twice by accident?

If you overpay, the IRS will refund the overpayment or let you explore it to next year's taxes. If you underpay, you'll owe the difference plus interest and penalties. If you pay twice by accident, contact the IRS with your confirmation numbers and they'll sort it out — do not assume they'll automatically refund the duplicate payment.

How do I know if my payment went through?

You'll get a confirmation number on screen when ready after you submit. Save this number. The IRS will send you a notice once the payment is posted to your account, usually within one to five business days depending on the payment method. You can also log back into the payment tool and check the status.

Can I pay someone else's taxes online?

No. You can only pay taxes for yourself using your own Social Security Number or ITIN. If you want to pay someone else's taxes, they must authorize you as a representative, which requires filing Form 2848 with the IRS first. Contact the IRS for details on how to do this.

What if the payment website is down or I get an error message?

The IRS payment systems are usually available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but maintenance windows do happen. If you get an error, try again in a few minutes. If the error persists, try a different payment method (like calling 1-800-829-1040) or come back later. Do not submit the same payment twice while troubleshooting.