The IRS gives you four main ways to pay taxes online, and the fastest is Direct Pay through IRS.gov

Direct Pay is the IRS's own payment tool. You go to IRS.gov, enter your Social Security number or employer identification number, the amount you owe, and your bank account details. The money moves from your bank to the IRS, usually within one business day. There is no fee.

Credit or debit card payments go through a third-party processor — the IRS does not take cards directly. You can use Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. The processor charges a fee (usually 1.87 to 2.35 percent of the payment, though this varies). The payment reaches the IRS within one business day.

Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) is an older system that works like bill pay in your bank account. You set it up once, then schedule payments whenever you owe. It is free and takes one business day. It is most common for people who make quarterly estimated tax payments.

Mobile payment apps let you photograph your check and send it to the IRS through your phone. This is slower — the IRS processes mobile checks within 7 to 10 business days — but it works if you do not have online banking or prefer not to share your bank account number.

Key Takeaways

  • Direct Pay through IRS.gov is free, takes one business day, and requires only your Social Security number and bank account details.
  • Credit and debit card payments charge a fee of roughly 2 percent but let you earn rewards if your card offers them.
  • EFTPS is free and best for people who make regular quarterly payments, since you can schedule them in advance.
  • Mobile check deposit through your bank's app takes 7 to 10 business days but avoids sharing your bank account online.
  • All methods require you to know your tax year, the type of tax you owe (income tax, self-employment tax, etc.), and the exact amount.

How to use IRS Direct Pay

Go to IRS.gov and look for the "Payments" section. Click on "Direct Pay." You will need your Social Security number or employer identification number, your date of birth, and your bank account and routing number. The IRS will ask what tax year the payment covers and what type of tax you owe — for example, 2024 Form 1040 income tax, or 2024 self-employment tax from Schedule SE.

Enter the amount and choose a payment date. The IRS lets you schedule payments up to 120 days in advance. If you are paying a balance due on a return you already filed, have your return in front of you so you can enter the exact amount. If you are making an estimated quarterly payment, you can round to the nearest dollar.

Review the details, then submit. The IRS will show you a confirmation number on screen — write it down or take a screenshot. The money leaves your bank account on the date you chose and reaches the IRS within one business day. You can check the status of your payment on IRS.gov for up to 120 days after you make it.

Paying with a credit or debit card

The IRS does not accept cards directly. Instead, you use one of three approved payment processors: PayPal, Worldpay, or 2checkout. Each charges a different fee, so compare them before you pay. The fee is a percentage of your payment — typically between 1.87 and 2.35 percent — and you pay it on top of your tax bill. For example, a $5,000 payment might cost $94 to $118 in fees.

To pay with a card, go to IRS.gov, find the card payment section, and choose your processor. You will enter your card number, the amount, and the tax year and type. The processor will show you the exact fee before you confirm. The payment reaches the IRS within one business day.

Card payments are useful if you want to earn rewards points or cash back on the transaction. However, the fee usually outweighs the reward unless your card offers a very high cash-back rate. Some people use card payments to meet a spending threshold for a sign-up bonus, but only if the bonus is larger than the fee you will pay.

Setting up EFTPS for regular payments

EFTPS is a free system run by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. It works best if you make the same payment every quarter — for example, if you are self-employed and owe estimated taxes four times a year. You set up your account once, then schedule payments whenever you need to.

To enroll, go to EFTPS.gov and click "Enroll Now." You will need your Social Security number or employer identification number, your bank account and routing number, and a phone number. The IRS will mail you a Personal Identification Number (PIN) within two weeks. Once you have your PIN, you can log in and schedule payments.

When you are ready to pay, log in to EFTPS, enter the amount, the tax year, and the type of tax, and choose a payment date. You can schedule payments up to 120 days ahead. The money leaves your bank account on the date you chose and reaches the IRS within one business day. EFTPS keeps a record of all your payments, which is helpful if you need to prove you paid on time.

Mailing a check or using mobile deposit

If you do not want to pay online, you can mail a check to the IRS. Write your Social Security number, the tax year, and the type of tax on the check itself. Include a payment voucher — the IRS provides a form for each tax type. Mail it to the address listed on your tax return or on IRS.gov. The IRS processes mailed checks within 7 to 10 business days.

Many banks also let you photograph a check and deposit it through their mobile app. You can write the check to the IRS, photograph it, and send it through your bank. Your bank deposits it, and the IRS receives it within 7 to 10 business days. This method avoids sharing your bank account number online, though it is slower than Direct Pay or EFTPS.

What happens after you pay

Once the IRS receives your payment, it will post it to your account. If you paid more than you owe, the IRS will either refund the overpayment or let you explore it to next year's taxes — you choose when you file your return. If you paid less than you owe, you still owe the remaining balance plus interest and penalties, which accrue daily.

Keep your confirmation number or receipt for your records. If you ever need to prove you paid, you can show the IRS your confirmation number and they can look up the payment. You can also check the status of your payment on IRS.gov by entering your Social Security number and the payment date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay the IRS with a credit card without a fee?

No. The IRS does not accept cards directly, and all three approved processors charge a fee. Direct Pay and EFTPS are free if you pay from a bank account instead.

What if I do not know the exact amount I owe?

You can pay an estimate and adjust later. If you overpay, the IRS refunds the difference or applies it to next year. If you underpay, you owe the rest plus interest. It is better to overpay slightly than to underpay and owe penalties.

How long does it take for the IRS to receive my payment?

Direct Pay, card payments, and EFTPS all reach the IRS within one business day. Mailed checks and mobile deposits take 7 to 10 business days. The payment date that matters for penalties and interest is the date the IRS receives it, not the date you send it.

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

Yes, but only before the payment date. Log in to Direct Pay or EFTPS and cancel the payment. Then schedule a new one if needed. If the payment date has already passed, contact the IRS to see if they can reverse it, though this is not always possible.

What if my payment fails?

The IRS will notify you if a payment fails — usually because your bank account does not have enough funds or the account number was entered wrong. You will need to pay again using a different method or after fixing the problem. The failed payment does not count as paid, so you still owe the full amount plus any penalties that accrue.