The IRS offers three main ways to pay online: Direct Pay, the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), and credit or debit card payment through an approved payment processor.

Direct Pay is the fastest route if you have a tax bill from a return you filed or a notice the IRS sent you. You log in at IRS.gov, enter your Social Security number or employer identification number, and authorize a bank transfer. There is no fee. Payments post within one business day.

EFTPS is the system the IRS built for businesses and individuals who make regular payments — quarterly estimated taxes, payroll withholding, or excise taxes. You enroll once (takes about a week), then schedule payments up to 120 days in advance. There is no fee.

Credit or debit card payments go through third-party processors the IRS has approved. You pay a convenience fee (usually 1.87 to 2.35 percent of the payment amount, though the rate varies by processor). This route is useful if you want to earn card rewards or need to pay on a specific date.

Key Takeaways

  • Direct Pay at IRS.gov is free and the fastest option for one-time tax bills, with no setup required.
  • EFTPS is free but requires enrollment and is designed for recurring payments like estimated taxes or payroll.
  • Credit and debit card payments charge a convenience fee but let you choose the exact payment date and earn rewards.
  • All three methods require your Social Security number or EIN, your filing status or business type, and a bank account or card number.
  • Payments made before midnight Eastern Time are posted the same day; after midnight they post the next business day.

Using IRS Direct Pay for a one-time payment

Go to IRS.gov and select "Pay Now" under the Payments section. You will need your Social Security number or EIN, your filing status (single, married filing jointly, and so on), and the tax year the payment covers. The system will ask whether you are paying a tax return balance or a notice balance — answer based on what triggered the payment.

Enter your bank account number and routing number. The IRS will verify the account with two small deposits (usually under $1 each) that appear in your account within two business days. Once verified, you authorize the payment. The IRS posts it the same day if submitted before midnight Eastern Time, or the next business day if submitted after.

You receive a confirmation number when ready. Save it. If the IRS later claims it did not receive the payment, the confirmation number proves you sent it on time.

Setting up EFTPS for regular or future payments

EFTPS is worth the setup time if you pay estimated taxes quarterly, run a payroll, or know you will owe again next year. Enroll at EFTPS.gov by providing your Social Security number or EIN, business name (if applicable), and a phone number. The IRS mails a PIN to the address on file — this takes about a week.

Once you have the PIN, log in and schedule payments up to 120 days ahead. You can set them to post on a specific date, which is useful if you want to time the payment to a paycheck or a quarterly important date. The system sends you a confirmation number for each payment scheduled.

EFTPS also lets you set up recurring payments if you make the same payment every quarter. This removes the step of scheduling each one manually.

Paying by credit or debit card through an approved processor

The IRS does not accept cards directly. Instead, it has approved three payment processors: Worldpay, Paymetrics, and Official Payments. Each charges a different convenience fee, so compare before you choose.

Visit IRS.gov, select "Pay Now," and choose "Credit or Debit Card." The site will direct you to one of the three processors. Enter your card number, billing address, and the payment amount. The processor calculates and displays the fee before you confirm. You receive a confirmation number from the processor, not the IRS.

The payment posts to your IRS account within one business day, but the card charge may take two to three business days to appear on your statement. The convenience fee is separate from the payment amount — if you owe $5,000 and the fee is 2 percent, you pay $5,100 total.

What information you need before you start

Have your Social Security number or EIN ready. If you are paying a balance from a tax return, you will need the tax year and your filing status. If you are paying a notice the IRS sent, have the notice in front of you — it contains a notice number the system may ask for.

For bank transfers (Direct Pay or EFTPS), you need your bank account number and the nine-digit routing number. You can find the routing number on the bottom left of a check, or call your bank.

For card payments, have your card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit security code on the back). You will also need your billing address.

Timing and confirmation of your payment

Payments submitted to Direct Pay or EFTPS before midnight Eastern Time post the same day. Payments submitted after midnight post the next business day. Weekends and federal holidays do not count as business days, so a payment submitted on Friday evening posts on Monday (unless Monday is a holiday).

The IRS does not send a separate receipt by mail. Your confirmation number is your proof of payment. Write it down or take a screenshot. If you paid by card, keep the processor's confirmation as well.

If you do not see the payment reflected in your IRS account within two business days, log back in and check the payment status. You can also call the IRS at 800-829-1040 with your confirmation number.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not assume the payment posts when ready just because you received a confirmation number. The IRS processes payments in batches, so there is always a one-day lag. If you are paying close to a important date, submit at least two business days early.

Do not use a credit card to pay through Direct Pay or EFTPS — both require a bank account. Credit cards are only an option through the third-party processors, and they charge a fee for that convenience.

Do not lose your confirmation number. The IRS uses it to match payments to accounts, especially if there is a delay or a dispute. If you cannot find it, you can retrieve it from your EFTPS or Direct Pay account history.

Do not pay more than once for the same bill. If you are unsure whether a payment posted, log into your IRS account or call before submitting another one. Duplicate payments take weeks to refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay the IRS by phone?

No. The IRS does not accept payments by phone. You must use Direct Pay, EFTPS, a credit or debit card through an approved processor, or mail a check. Scammers often pose as the IRS and demand payment by phone, so if someone calls claiming to be from the IRS and asking for when ready payment, hang up and call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040.

What if I cannot pay the full amount right now?

You can set up a payment plan with the IRS instead of paying in one lump sum. Short-term plans (120 days or less) have no setup fee. Long-term installment agreements charge a fee and require a monthly payment. You can set up a plan online at IRS.gov or by calling 800-829-1040. Interest and penalties continue to accrue while you are on a plan.

Is it safe to give the IRS my bank account number online?

Yes, if you are on the official IRS website (IRS.gov). The site uses encryption to protect your information. Never enter your bank details on a link sent to you by email or text, even if it appears to come from the IRS. The IRS does not initiate contact by email or text about payments.

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

It depends on the timing. If you submitted it through Direct Pay or EFTPS and it has not posted yet, you can cancel it through your account and submit a new one. If it has already posted, you cannot cancel it — you would need to request a refund. Call the IRS at 800-829-1040 to discuss your options.

Do I need to file a tax return if I am only paying a bill the IRS sent me?

Not necessarily. If the IRS sent you a notice of tax due (such as from an audit or a math error on a return someone else filed), you can pay that bill without filing a return. However, if you earned income and did not file, you should file a return even if you do not owe — you may be due a refund.