The IRS gives you several ways to pay, and the method you choose depends on how much you owe and how quickly you want to settle it

You can pay the IRS by check, money order, electronic bank transfer, credit or debit card, or through an installment agreement if you cannot pay in full right away. The fastest methods are electronic — either direct debit from your bank account or a payment through the IRS website. If you owe a smaller amount and want to mail a payment, check or money order works fine. The key is matching the payment method to your situation: immediate full payment, payment over time, or something in between.

Every payment method requires you to have your tax return information ready, including your Social Security number and the tax year you owe for. The IRS does not accept cash payments at offices or by mail, and it does not accept payments through third-party payment apps like Venmo or PayPal.

Key Takeaways

  • Direct debit from your bank account is the fastest and most secure way to pay the IRS, and you can set it up through IRS.gov or by phone.
  • Credit and debit card payments go through a third-party processor and include a convenience fee that ranges depending on the processor you choose.
  • If you cannot pay in full, you can set up a monthly payment plan through the IRS, which lets you spread the debt over time with interest and penalties still accruing.
  • Mailing a check or money order works but takes longer and gives you no real-time confirmation that the IRS received your payment.
  • You must include your tax return information with any payment so the IRS knows which tax year and which person the money is for.

Paying in full by electronic transfer or debit

The fastest way to pay is to authorize the IRS to pull money directly from your bank account. You can do this through the IRS website at IRS.gov using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), or by calling the IRS at 1-800-555-4477. You will need your bank routing number and account number, your Social Security number, and the tax year you owe for.

Direct debit payments typically process within one business day and cost nothing. The IRS will send you a confirmation number immediately, so you have proof the payment went through. This method works whether you are paying a balance from a return you already filed or paying estimated taxes for the current year.

If you do not have a bank account or prefer not to use direct debit, you can pay through the IRS website using a debit card, though this still goes through a third-party processor and may include a fee.

Paying by credit or debit card through a processor

The IRS does not accept credit cards directly, but it has approved third-party payment processors that will accept your card and send the money to the IRS on your behalf. The main processors are Worldpay, Paymetrics, and ACI Payments. Each one charges a convenience fee — typically between 1.87% and 2.35% of the amount you pay, though the exact percentage varies by processor and changes over time.

You access these processors through links on IRS.gov, and each one lets you pay immediately online. The fee is added to your bill, so if you owe $5,000 and the processor charges 2%, you will pay $5,100 total. The payment usually posts to your IRS account within one business day.

Credit card payments do not reduce your actual tax debt — they only pay what you owe to the IRS. Interest and penalties continue to accrue on any unpaid balance until the full amount is settled.

Paying by mail with a check or money order

If you prefer to mail a payment, you can send a check or money order to the IRS address for your region. The address depends on where you live, and the IRS publishes the correct mailing address on its website and on the back of your tax notice. Always include a payment voucher with your check — you can print one from IRS.gov or write your name, address, Social Security number, phone number, tax year, and the amount you are paying directly on the check itself.

Mailed payments take one to three weeks to reach the IRS and be posted to your account. During that time, you have no confirmation that the IRS received it. If the check is lost or delayed, the IRS will still charge you interest and penalties for the days the payment was late. For this reason, mailing is slower and riskier than electronic payment, though it remains an option if you do not have online access or a bank account.

Never send cash by mail. The IRS does not accept cash payments through the mail, and cash sent to an IRS office will not be returned.

Setting up a payment plan if you cannot pay in full

If you owe more than you can pay right away, you can request a payment plan (also called an installment agreement) that lets you pay in monthly installments. The IRS offers two types: a short-term plan for balances under $100,000 that you can pay off within 180 days, and a long-term plan for larger amounts or longer repayment periods.

You can request a payment plan through IRS.gov, by phone at 1-800-829-1040, or by mail. The IRS will charge you a setup fee (typically $31 to $225 depending on how you apply and your income level) and will continue to charge interest and penalties on the unpaid balance each month. Your monthly payment amount depends on how much you owe and how long you want to take to pay it off.

Once a payment plan is in place, you must make your monthly payment on time every month. If you miss a payment, the plan can be terminated and the full remaining balance becomes due immediately. You can change your payment amount or end the plan early without penalty.

Understanding interest and penalties on unpaid taxes

Whether you pay in full or set up a plan, the IRS charges interest on any unpaid balance. The interest rate changes quarterly and is based on the federal short-term rate plus 3%. As of 2024, the rate is around 8% per year, though it varies. Interest accrues daily on your unpaid balance until it is paid in full.

The IRS also charges penalties on top of interest. The most common is the failure-to-pay penalty, which is 0.5% of your unpaid taxes per month (up to 25% total). If you filed your return late, there is also a failure-to-file penalty. These penalties stop accruing once your balance is paid in full, but they do not go away — they become part of what you owe.

If you are on a payment plan, interest and penalties continue to accrue on the unpaid portion each month. This means your monthly payment covers some of the current month's interest and penalties, plus part of the original tax debt. Paying faster reduces the total interest and penalties you will pay.

What to do if you cannot afford any payment right now

If you cannot afford to pay anything right now, you can request Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status, which temporarily pauses collection action. This does not erase your debt — interest and penalties still accrue, and the IRS can resume collection efforts later. CNC is meant for people facing genuine hardship, and the IRS will review your financial situation to determine whether you may have access to.

You can request CNC status by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or by submitting Form 433-A (for individuals) or Form 433-B (for businesses) along with a request letter. The IRS will ask about your income, expenses, and assets to decide whether you truly cannot pay. If approved, the IRS will stop sending collection notices and will not garnish your wages or levy your bank account during the CNC period.

CNC status is temporary and usually lasts 120 to 180 days. The IRS will contact you again after that period to see if your situation has changed. If it has not, you can request another CNC period, but this is not a permanent solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay the IRS with a payment app like Venmo or PayPal?

No. The IRS does not accept payments through third-party payment apps. You must use one of the official methods: direct debit, a credit or debit card through an approved processor, check or money order by mail, or an installment agreement. Sending money to someone claiming to represent the IRS through an app is a common scam.

What happens if I pay late?

Late payments accrue interest and penalties every day until paid in full. The failure-to-pay penalty is 0.5% per month of your unpaid balance. Interest is charged daily at a rate set quarterly by the IRS. The longer you wait to pay, the more you will owe in total.

Can I change my payment method after I start paying?

Yes. If you set up a payment plan and later have money to pay the balance in full, you can do so without penalty. You can also switch from one payment method to another — for example, from a payment plan to a lump-sum payment by direct debit. Contact the IRS to make changes to an existing payment plan.

Do I need to include anything with my payment besides the money?

Yes. If you are mailing a check or money order, include a payment voucher with your name, address, Social Security number, tax year, and amount. If you are paying electronically, the IRS system will ask for this information before processing. Never send a payment without this information, or the IRS may not know which tax year or person it is for.

What if I disagree with the amount the IRS says I owe?

You can dispute the amount before paying it. Contact the IRS or file a formal protest if you received a notice of deficiency. However, if you have already received a final notice and demand for payment, you generally must pay the amount or set up a payment plan while you pursue an appeal. Paying does not waive your right to dispute the amount later.