The IRS has two official websites where you can pay taxes owed

The main IRS payment site is IRS.gov/payments, which lets you pay federal income tax, self-employment tax, and other IRS debts directly from your bank account. A second option, pay1040.com, is an IRS-approved payment processor that handles the same transactions but charges a convenience fee. Both sites connect to your bank account and process payments immediately or on a date you choose.

You do not need to create an account or log in with an IRS username. You can pay as a guest, though you will need your Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number, your filing status, and the tax year you owe for. The payment goes straight to the IRS, not to a third party, and you receive a confirmation number immediately.

Key Takeaways

  • IRS.gov/payments is the official IRS payment site and charges no convenience fee, while pay1040.com is IRS-approved but adds a fee to your payment.
  • Both sites let you pay immediately or schedule a payment for a future date, and both pull money directly from your bank account.
  • You will need your Social Security Number or EIN, filing status, and the tax year owed to start a payment.
  • If you cannot pay the full amount now, the IRS offers short-term payment plans (120 days or less) and long-term installment agreements that you can set up on the same websites.

What you need before you start paying online

Have your bank account information ready — the IRS will ask for your routing number and account number. You can pay from a checking or savings account; credit and debit card payments are not available through the official IRS site, though pay1040.com does accept them (with a higher fee).

You will also need to know the exact amount you owe. If you received a notice from the IRS (a bill or letter), that notice shows what you owe and the tax year. If you have not received a notice but know you owe, you can check your account balance on IRS.gov/account before you pay. The payment site will also show you what the IRS has on record for you once you enter your information.

How to pay directly through IRS.gov/payments

Go to IRS.gov/payments and select "Pay Now." You will see three payment methods: Direct Debit (from your bank account), Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS, for businesses and self-employed filers), and credit or debit card through a third-party processor. For most individual taxpayers, Direct Debit is the fastest and cheapest option.

Enter your Social Security Number or EIN, filing status, and the tax year you owe for. The site will pull up your account balance. You can then choose to pay the full amount, a partial payment, or set up a payment plan. If you pay by Direct Debit, there is no fee. If you choose to pay by card, the IRS directs you to an approved payment processor that charges a percentage-based fee (the exact amount depends on the processor).

You can schedule the payment to come out of your account immediately or on a date up to 120 days in the future. Once you confirm, you receive a confirmation number. Write it down or save the email — you will need it if you have questions about the payment later.

Using pay1040.com as an alternative

Pay1040.com is an IRS-approved payment processor that handles the same transactions as IRS.gov/payments. The main difference is that pay1040.com charges a convenience fee on top of your payment amount. The fee varies depending on your payment method (Direct Debit, ACH, credit card, or debit card) and is shown to you before you confirm the payment.

You might use pay1040.com if you prefer to pay by credit card and want to compare fees across processors, or if you are already familiar with the site from a previous payment. The process is otherwise identical: enter your tax information, choose your payment method and amount, and receive a confirmation number.

Setting up a payment plan if you cannot pay in full

Both IRS.gov/payments and pay1040.com let you set up a payment plan without calling the IRS or filing additional paperwork. A short-term payment plan lets you pay in full within 120 days with no setup fee. A long-term installment agreement spreads payments over months or years and requires a setup fee (currently $31 to $225 depending on the plan type and how you set it up).

To set up a plan online, select "Set Up a Payment Plan" on the payment site instead of "Pay Now." The site will show you plan options based on what you owe and ask you to choose a monthly payment amount and due date. Once approved, your payments will come out of your bank account automatically each month. You can modify or cancel the plan later through your IRS account or by calling the IRS.

If the IRS has already filed a tax lien against you (a legal claim on your property), you may not be able to set up a plan online. In that case, you will need to call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to discuss your options.

What happens after you submit your payment

The IRS processes Direct Debit payments within one to three business days. Payments scheduled for a future date will come out on the date you chose. Once the payment is processed, the IRS updates your account balance, and you can check the status anytime on IRS.gov/account.

Keep your confirmation number and any receipts or emails from the payment site. If you set up a payment plan, you will receive a notice from the IRS confirming the agreement and the payment schedule. If you miss a payment on a plan, the IRS will send you a notice and may terminate the agreement, so mark your calendar or set up a reminder.

When to call the IRS instead of paying online

The online payment sites work for most situations, but some cases require a phone call. If you have an active payment plan and want to modify it, if you are in a collection case, if you have a tax lien, or if you received a notice about a specific issue with your account, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 before paying online. The IRS can explain your options and may be able to resolve the issue without requiring immediate payment.

If you are unable to pay and do not have a plan in place, calling the IRS is also faster than trying to set one up online, especially if your situation is complicated (for example, if you owe for multiple years or have both individual and business tax debt).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to pay through IRS.gov/payments?

No fee if you pay by Direct Debit from your bank account. If you pay by credit or debit card, the IRS directs you to a third-party processor that charges a convenience fee (usually 1.87% to 2.35% of the payment). Pay1040.com also charges a fee regardless of payment method.

Can I pay taxes owed from a previous year?

Yes. When you enter your information on the payment site, you will select the tax year you owe for. You can pay for multiple years by making separate payments, each with its own confirmation number. Interest and penalties continue to accrue on unpaid balances, so paying as soon as you can reduces what you ultimately owe.

What if I pay online but then receive a bill from the IRS?

The IRS can take several weeks to update its records after you pay online. If you receive a bill after paying, do not ignore it — contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your payment confirmation number. The IRS will verify the payment and correct your account. Keep your confirmation number and proof of payment until the bill is resolved.

Can I pay someone else's tax debt online?

No. The payment site requires the taxpayer's Social Security Number or EIN and will only accept payment from the person who owes the tax. If you want to help someone else pay, they will need to make the payment themselves or give you power of attorney to act on their behalf (a more complex process that requires IRS forms).

What if my payment fails or is rejected?

The payment site will tell you immediately if there is a problem — for example, if your bank account information is incorrect or if your bank declined the transaction. You can try again with corrected information or choose a different payment method. If the problem persists, contact your bank to confirm your account is active and has sufficient funds, then try again.