What the IRS Payment Website Does
The IRS operates IRS.gov/payments, a free website where you can pay federal income tax, estimated tax, or other tax debts directly to the government. You do not need to create an account, and the site accepts payments from your bank account or by credit or debit card. The IRS processes most bank transfers within one business day and card payments within one business day as well, though the exact timing depends on your bank and the payment method you choose.
This is the official IRS payment tool — not a third-party service. When you pay here, your money goes straight to the U.S. Treasury. The site is free to use if you pay by bank transfer; card payments carry a processing fee set by the payment processor, not the IRS, and that fee varies depending on which processor handles your transaction.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay through IRS.gov/payments using your bank account (no fee) or a credit or debit card (with a processor fee).
- The site does not require you to log in or create an account, and you can pay without a Social Security number if you are paying on behalf of a business.
- Payments by bank transfer usually post within one business day; card payments also post within one business day but may take longer depending on your card issuer.
- You will receive a confirmation number when ready after payment, and you should save it as proof of payment.
How to Make a Payment on IRS.gov/payments
Go to IRS.gov/payments and select the payment method you want to use. The site will ask you to enter your Social Security number or employer identification number, your filing status (if paying individual tax), and the tax year the payment is for. You will also enter the amount you want to pay.
If you are paying by bank account, you will provide your routing number and account number. The IRS calls this an electronic federal tax payment system (EFTPS) transfer when it happens through their site. If you are paying by card, you will enter your card details, and a third-party processor will charge you a fee — typically between 1.87% and 2.35% of the payment amount, though this varies by processor.
After you submit your information, the site displays a confirmation number. Write this down or take a screenshot. This number is your proof that the IRS received your payment request. You will not receive a separate email confirmation from the IRS, so the confirmation number on the screen is what you keep.
When Your Payment Will Post to Your Account
Bank transfers usually post within one business day of submission. If you submit a payment on a Friday after 8 p.m. Eastern time, or on a weekend, it will be treated as submitted on Monday. The IRS processes payments Monday through Friday, and the payment will post to your tax account on the next business day after processing.
Card payments also post within one business day, but your card issuer may take additional time to show the charge on your statement. The payment reaches the IRS within one business day; how quickly it appears on your credit card bill is up to your bank.
If you need to know whether a payment posted, you can check your account on IRS.gov using your login credentials, or you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your confirmation number ready.
Payment Methods and Fees
The IRS.gov/payments site accepts two types of payment: bank account transfers and card payments. Bank account transfers have no fee — the IRS does not charge you anything. The money comes directly from your checking or savings account.
Card payments (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover) carry a processing fee. This fee is not charged by the IRS; it is charged by the third-party payment processor that handles card transactions. The processor fee ranges from about 1.87% to 2.35% of your payment, depending on which processor the IRS routes your transaction to. You will see the exact fee before you confirm the payment, so you know the total amount that will be charged.
If you are paying a large amount, the fee difference between a bank transfer (free) and a card payment (1.87% to 2.35%) can be significant. For example, a $5,000 payment by card might cost you $94 to $118 in fees, while a bank transfer costs nothing.
What Information You Need Before You Start
Have your Social Security number or employer identification number ready. If you are paying individual income tax, you will also need to know your filing status (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household). If you are paying business tax, you will need your EIN instead.
You will need to know the tax year the payment is for — for example, if you are paying 2024 tax, you will select 2024. You will also need the exact amount you want to pay. If you are unsure of the amount you owe, you can check your account on IRS.gov before you go to the payment site, or you can call the IRS.
If you are paying by bank account, have your routing number and account number available. These appear on the bottom left of your checks, or you can call your bank to ask. If you are paying by card, have your card number, expiration date, and CVV ready.
What Happens After You Pay
The IRS will credit your payment to your tax account once it posts. If you overpaid or made a mistake, you can file an amended return or contact the IRS to request a refund. Refunds typically take four to six weeks to process, though this can vary.
If you paid by card and want to dispute the charge, you will need to contact your card issuer, not the IRS. The processor fee is separate from the tax payment itself, so if you dispute the processor fee, your card company will handle that claim.
Keep your confirmation number for your records. If the IRS ever questions whether you paid, you can provide this number as proof. The confirmation number does not replace an official receipt, but it is the best documentation you have from the payment site itself.
Other Ways to Pay the IRS
IRS.gov/payments is the official IRS website, but it is not the only way to pay. You can also pay by mail by sending a check or money order to the address listed on your tax notice. You can pay through EFTPS (the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System) if you enroll in advance — this is a separate system from the website, designed for people who make regular estimated tax payments.
Some third-party payment processors also accept IRS payments on behalf of taxpayers. These processors charge their own fees and may offer different features, such as payment plans or the ability to pay in installments. The IRS does not endorse any particular third-party processor, but they do maintain a list of approved payment service providers on their website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay someone else's tax bill through IRS.gov/payments?
You can pay on behalf of someone else if you have their Social Security number or EIN and know the tax year and amount. The site does not require you to prove you are authorized to pay on their behalf, so use this option carefully. The payment will be credited to their account, not yours.
What if I submit a payment and then realize I made a mistake?
If you submitted the payment but have not yet confirmed it, you may be able to cancel it depending on how far along you are in the process. Once you have received a confirmation number, the payment has been submitted to the IRS and cannot be cancelled through the website. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to discuss your options.
Do I need to set up an account to use IRS.gov/payments?
No. The payment site does not require you to create an account or log in. You enter your information each time you pay. If you want to track your payment history or check your account balance, you will need to create an IRS online account separately on IRS.gov.
Is IRS.gov/payments safe?
Yes. The site uses encryption to protect your financial information, and it is the official IRS payment tool. Be cautious of third-party websites that claim to offer IRS payment services — always go directly to IRS.gov/payments to avoid scams.
Can I set up a payment plan through IRS.gov/payments?
No. The payment site only accepts one-time payments. If you want to set up an installment agreement to pay your tax debt over time, you will need to contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 or use the IRS online account portal.