The IRS gives you several ways to pay, and the method you choose affects how quickly the payment reaches them and what fees you might owe

You can pay the IRS online through their official payment portal, by phone, by mail, or in person at a local IRS office. Online payment is fastest and costs nothing. Phone and mail payments are free but slower. Payment plans and installment agreements let you spread the cost over time if you cannot pay in full right away.

The IRS does not accept payment through third-party bill-pay services or your bank's online bill-pay system — those payments go to the wrong place and create delays. You must use a method the IRS officially operates or has authorized.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS Direct Pay system on IRS.gov is free, instant, and the fastest way to pay if you have a bank account.
  • The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) is free but requires advance registration, usually taking one to two business days.
  • Credit and debit card payments go through authorized payment processors and charge a convenience fee of roughly 2 percent.
  • Mailing a check or money order is free but takes two to three weeks to reach the IRS and be processed.
  • Payment plans spread your balance over months or years and require a setup fee, but let you pay in smaller amounts.

Paying online through IRS Direct Pay

IRS Direct Pay is the fastest and cheapest option if you have a bank account. You go to IRS.gov, enter your Social Security number or employer identification number, your tax year, and the amount you want to pay. The system then asks for your bank account and routing number. The payment is deducted from your account within one business day and reaches the IRS immediately.

There is no fee for Direct Pay. You can schedule a payment up to 120 days in advance, which is useful if you know when money will be available. The system confirms your payment with a confirmation number you should save for your records.

Using EFTPS for recurring or scheduled payments

The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) is a free IRS system designed for people who pay taxes regularly or want to set up automatic payments. You must register first, which takes one to two business days. After that, you can make payments online or by phone.

EFTPS lets you schedule payments weeks or months in advance and set up recurring payments if you have an installment agreement. Like Direct Pay, there is no fee. The main reason to use EFTPS instead of Direct Pay is if you make frequent payments and want them organized in one system, or if you prefer phone-based payment.

Paying by credit or debit card

The IRS does not accept credit or debit cards directly. Instead, you use one of three authorized payment processors: Worldpay, Paymetrics, or Official Payments. Each processor charges a convenience fee — typically between 1.87 and 2.49 percent of the amount you pay, depending on the processor and payment method.

On a $5,000 tax bill, that fee could be $94 to $125. The fee is separate from your tax payment and is not deductible. You pay the processor, not the IRS, and the processor sends your payment to the IRS. This method is useful only if you need to earn credit card rewards or if paying by card is your only option.

Mailing a check or money order

You can mail a check or money order to the IRS, but you must send it to the correct address for your state. The IRS publishes a list of mailing addresses on IRS.gov organized by state. Using the wrong address delays processing.

Write your Social Security number, tax year, and the form number (usually 1040 for individual returns) on the check or money order. Include a payment voucher if you have one — the IRS provides a form you can print. Mail should be sent certified or with tracking so you have proof of mailing. Processing takes two to three weeks after the IRS receives it.

Setting up a payment plan if you cannot pay in full

If you owe more than you can pay right now, the IRS offers short-term and long-term payment plans. A short-term plan gives you up to 180 days to pay with no setup fee. A long-term plan (called an installment agreement) spreads payments over months or years and requires a setup fee of $31 to $225, depending on how you set it up.

You can request a payment plan online through IRS.gov, by phone at 1-800-829-1040, or by mail. The IRS will tell you the monthly payment amount based on your balance and the plan length. Once approved, you make monthly payments on the due date. Missing a payment can end the plan and trigger collection action.

What to do if you cannot reach the IRS to pay

If the IRS website is down or you cannot access online payment, you can call 1-800-829-1040 to pay by phone. A representative can take payment information over the phone and process it immediately. This method is free but may have wait times during tax season.

If you are unable to pay by any method and believe you face hardship, you can request a delay in collection action. This does not erase the debt, but it pauses collection efforts while you work toward payment. Contact the IRS by phone or mail to discuss your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay the IRS through my bank's bill-pay service?

No. Payments sent through your bank's bill-pay system go to the wrong IRS address and create delays of several weeks. Always use IRS Direct Pay, EFTPS, an authorized credit card processor, or mail directly to the IRS address for your state.

What happens if I pay late?

The IRS charges interest on unpaid balances and may add failure-to-pay penalties. Interest accrues daily from the original due date. The sooner you pay, even if it is late, the less interest you owe. Setting up a payment plan stops penalties from growing as long as you make payments on time.

Do I need to include a payment voucher when I mail a check?

A voucher helps the IRS match your payment to your account faster, but it is not required. You can print a payment voucher from IRS.gov or simply write your Social Security number, tax year, and form number on the check itself.

Can I pay someone else's IRS bill?

Yes. You can pay any tax bill as long as you have the taxpayer's Social Security number or employer identification number. The payment goes to that account regardless of who sends it. The IRS does not require proof that you are authorized to pay on their behalf.

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

Online payments (Direct Pay and EFTPS) reach the IRS within one business day. Credit card payments through a processor reach the IRS within one to two business days. Mailed checks take two to three weeks. The IRS applies the payment to your account once it is received and processed.