Virginia offers three main ways to pay state taxes: online through the Virginia Tax Online Services portal, by mail with a check, or by phone with a credit or debit card
The Virginia Department of Taxation accepts payments for state income tax, sales tax, corporate tax, and other state taxes through channels designed for different situations. Most individual taxpayers pay through the online portal, which is free and processes payments the same business day if submitted before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. If you prefer not to use the internet or need to pay by phone, you can call the department's payment line or mail a check with your tax return or payment voucher.
The method you choose depends on how quickly you need the payment processed, whether you want a record when ready, and what payment method you have available. Each route has different timing and confirmation procedures.
Key Takeaways
- Online payments through Virginia Tax Online Services are free, processed same-day if submitted before midnight, and give you an when ready confirmation number.
- Phone payments require a credit or debit card and charge a convenience fee set by the payment processor, which varies but is typically 2 to 3 percent of the payment amount.
- Mailed checks should include your Social Security number or tax ID, the tax year, and the type of tax being paid, and take 7 to 10 business days to clear.
- The Virginia Department of Taxation does not accept payment through its main phone line — you must use the dedicated payment line, the online portal, or mail.
- If you are paying a balance owed from a prior year, include the tax year on your check or note it during an online or phone payment so the department credits it correctly.
Paying online through Virginia Tax Online Services
The Virginia Tax Online Services portal is the fastest and most direct route for most taxpayers. You access it through the Virginia Department of Taxation website, log in with your Social Security number or federal employer identification number and your date of birth or incorporation date, and enter the payment amount and bank account information. The system accepts payments from a checking or savings account at no charge.
Payments submitted before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time are processed the same business day. The system generates a confirmation number when ready after you submit, which you should save or print for your records. If you submit a payment after midnight or on a weekend, it will process on the next business day. The portal also allows you to set up a payment plan if you owe a large balance, though you will need to contact the department directly to arrange the terms.
You can also use the portal to check the status of a payment you have already made. Search by the confirmation number or the date range of the payment, and the system will show whether it has been received and applied to your account.
Paying by phone with a credit or debit card
If you do not have online access or prefer to pay by phone, the Virginia Department of Taxation operates a dedicated payment line separate from its main customer service number. The phone payment system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards. When you call, you will enter your tax identification number, the tax year, and the payment amount through the automated system.
Phone payments charge a convenience fee. The fee is set by the payment processor and is not collected by the state — it is added to your payment total. The processor's fee typically ranges from 2 to 3 percent of the payment amount, though you will see the exact fee before you confirm the payment. The system provides a confirmation number at the end of the call, which you should write down when ready.
The phone line operates during the same hours as the online portal. Payments submitted before the cutoff time are processed the same business day. If you need to speak with a department representative about your account before or after paying, you will need to call the main customer service line, as the payment line is automated.
Paying by mail with a check
Mailing a check is an option if you do not have a bank account for online payment or prefer a paper record. Write the check to the Virginia Department of Taxation and include it with your tax return if you are filing, or with a payment voucher if you are paying a balance owed. On the check itself or on a separate note, write your Social Security number or tax identification number, the tax year, and the type of tax (income tax, sales tax, corporate tax, and so on).
Mail the check to the address listed on the Virginia Department of Taxation website for the type of tax you are paying — the mailing address differs for individual income tax, corporate tax, and other tax types. Do not mail checks to the main office address unless the instructions for your specific tax type direct you there. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days after the department receives the check, so if you are paying close to a important date, mail your check at least two weeks in advance.
If you are paying a balance from a prior tax year, clearly mark the year on the check or voucher. The department receives many payments and may otherwise explore your check to the current year by default, which would delay resolution of the older debt.
Understanding payment important date and penalties
Virginia state income tax is due on the same date as federal income tax, which is April 15 in most years (or the next business day if April 15 falls on a weekend or holiday). If you file an extension, the extension important date is October 15, but interest and penalties begin accruing on April 15 if you owe tax. Paying by the April 15 important date stops the penalty clock, even if your return itself is not filed until October.
The department considers a payment on time if it is received by the important date, not if it is postmarked by the important date. For mailed checks, this means you should mail at least one week before the important date to account for postal delays. Online and phone payments are safer because they are processed when ready and you receive a same-day confirmation.
If you miss the important date, the department charges a failure-to-pay penalty of 0.5 percent of the unpaid tax per month, up to 25 percent total, plus interest at a rate set quarterly by the state. Paying as soon as possible after the important date reduces the total interest and penalty owed.
What to do if your payment does not appear on your account
If you made an online or phone payment and received a confirmation number but do not see the payment reflected in your account within two business days, contact the Virginia Department of Taxation customer service line with your confirmation number. Provide the date you made the payment, the amount, and the confirmation number. The department can verify that the payment was received and trace where it is in the processing queue.
If you mailed a check and it has been more than 10 business days since you mailed it, call customer service with the date you mailed it, the check amount, and your check number if you have it. The department can search its records to see whether the check has arrived and been deposited. If the check was lost in the mail, the department can advise you on whether to stop payment on the original check and send a replacement, or wait a few more days.
Do not make a second payment before confirming that the first one was not received. If both payments post to your account, you will have an overpayment that requires a refund request or credit to a future year's tax.
Paying estimated tax and sales tax as a business
If you are self-employed or own a business, you may owe quarterly estimated income tax payments or monthly or quarterly sales tax payments. These follow the same payment methods as regular income tax — online through Virginia Tax Online Services, by phone, or by mail — but the due dates are different. Estimated income tax is due on April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. Sales tax is due by the 20th of the month following the reporting period, though some businesses report and pay quarterly or annually depending on their sales volume.
The online portal allows you to schedule payments in advance, which is useful if you want to may support a payment posts by a specific date without having to remember to submit it manually. You can also set up automatic recurring payments if your estimated tax or sales tax amount is the same each period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay Virginia taxes with a debit card online?
No. The online portal accepts payments only from a checking or savings account at no charge. If you want to pay with a debit card, you must use the phone payment line, which charges a convenience fee. Credit cards are not accepted through the online portal either.
What if I owe both Virginia income tax and sales tax?
You must make separate payments for each tax type. The online portal and phone line allow you to specify which tax you are paying. If you mail a check, clearly label it with the tax type. Sending one check for both will delay processing because the department has to contact you to clarify which tax the payment should be applied to.
Do I need to include a payment voucher with my online payment?
No. Online and phone payments do not require a voucher. The system records your payment electronically and matches it to your account using your tax ID. You only need a voucher if you are mailing a check or paying a balance owed outside of a tax return filing.
How long does it take to get a refund if I overpay?
If you overpay your Virginia taxes, you can request a refund or ask the department to credit the overpayment to next year's tax. Refunds are issued by check and typically arrive within 4 to 6 weeks of the department processing your request. You can also choose to have the refund deposited directly to your bank account if you file electronically, which is faster.
What happens if I pay late?
Late payments are subject to a failure-to-pay penalty of 0.5 percent per month plus interest. The interest rate is set quarterly by the state and is published on the Virginia Department of Taxation website. Paying as soon as you can after the important date reduces the total amount owed, since interest accrues daily.