How to Send Money to the IRS for Taxes You Owe

The IRS accepts payments through five main channels: online through IRS Direct Pay or the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), by phone, by mail, or in person at a local IRS office.

The fastest and most common route is IRS Direct Pay, which lets you pay directly from a bank account with no fees. You enter your Social Security number or employer identification number, the tax year, and the amount, and the money moves to the IRS within one to three business days. You get a confirmation number immediately, which serves as your receipt.

If you owe taxes but have not yet filed a return, you can still pay — the IRS will match your payment to your account once you file. If you are paying for a prior year, have the tax form or notice in front of you so you can enter the correct year and type of tax.

Key Takeaways

IRS Direct Pay is free, fast, and works from any bank account — it is the simplest option for most people.
EFTPS is designed for businesses and people who make regular tax payments, and requires advance enrollment.
Payments by mail take two to three weeks to reach the IRS, so mail early if you have a deadline.
The IRS accepts credit and debit cards through third-party processors, but those processors charge a fee of 1.87% to 2.35% of the payment.
A payment confirmation number is your proof the IRS received the money — keep it with your tax records.

Paying online through IRS Direct Pay

Go to IRS.gov/payments and select "Pay Now" under IRS Direct Pay. You will need your Social Security number or EIN, your date of birth, and your bank account and routing numbers. The system will ask you to choose a payment date — you can pay immediately or schedule it for a future date up to 120 days out.

Direct Pay works for federal income tax, self-employment tax, estimated tax payments, and payroll taxes if you are a business owner. The IRS processes the payment and sends you a confirmation number on screen. Write down that number or take a screenshot — it is your only receipt, and the IRS does not email confirmations for Direct Pay.

There is no fee to use Direct Pay, and there is no limit on how much you can pay. The money leaves your account on the date you choose, so if you schedule a payment for next week, your bank will deduct it then, not immediately.

Using EFTPS for regular or business tax payments

EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System) is the IRS's older system, designed mainly for businesses and self-employed people who make multiple tax payments per year. It works similarly to Direct Pay — you log in, enter the amount and tax type, and choose a payment date — but it requires you to enroll in advance, which takes one to three business days.

EFTPS is free and has no payment limits. The main reason to use it instead of Direct Pay is if you make many payments and want to keep them all in one system, or if your payroll software is integrated with EFTPS. For a one-time payment, Direct Pay is simpler because there is no enrollment step.

To enroll in EFTPS, visit EFTPS.gov and select "Enroll Now." You will need your Social Security number or EIN, bank account details, and a phone number. The IRS will call or mail you a Personal Identification Number (PIN) within three business days. Once you have the PIN, you can log in and make payments.

Paying by credit or debit card

The IRS does not accept credit or debit cards directly. Instead, you pay through a third-party processor — currently Worldpay, Paymetrics, or Official Payments — each of which charges a fee. The fee is typically 1.87% to 2.35% of the payment amount, charged by the processor, not the IRS.

For example, a $5,000 payment might cost $94 to $118 in processor fees. You pay the fee on top of the tax amount, so your total charge is higher. The processor will ask for your card number, billing address, and the tax information, then send the payment to the IRS on your behalf.

Use a credit or debit card only if you cannot access a bank account for Direct Pay or EFTPS. The fee makes it more expensive than other methods, but it may be worth it if you need to pay quickly and earn rewards on the card.

Paying by phone or mail

You can pay by phone by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 during business hours. Have your Social Security number, tax form or notice, and bank account information ready. An IRS representative will take your payment details and process the payment over the phone. This method is slower than online payment and requires you to wait on hold, but it works if you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone.

To pay by mail, write a check or money order payable to "United States Treasury." Include a note with your name, address, phone number, Social Security number, tax year, and the form or notice you are paying for. Mail it to the IRS address for your state — find the correct address on the back of your tax notice or on IRS.gov. Mail takes two to three weeks to arrive, so send it well before any deadline.

Do not send cash by mail. If you pay by check and it bounces, the IRS will contact you about the failed payment and may charge a penalty.

Paying in person at an IRS office

Some IRS offices accept walk-in payments, though this is becoming less common. Call your local IRS office to ask whether they accept in-person payments and what forms of payment they take — most accept checks, money orders, and cash. Bring your tax notice, identification, and payment method with you.

In-person payment is useful only if you are already at an IRS office for another reason or if you need to pay cash and want to hand it directly to the IRS rather than mail it. For most people, online payment is faster and more convenient.

What happens after you pay

The IRS typically posts online payments to your account within one to three business days. If you paid by mail, allow two to three weeks. You can check the status of your payment by logging into your IRS account at IRS.gov/account or by calling 1-800-829-1040.

Keep your confirmation number and any receipts for at least three years. If the IRS ever questions whether you paid, the confirmation number is your proof. If you overpay, the IRS will either refund the excess or apply it to future tax years — you can choose which when you file your return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay the IRS if I have not filed my tax return yet?

Yes. You can pay what you owe before you file, and the IRS will hold the payment in your account until your return arrives. Once you file, the payment will be applied automatically. Make sure you enter the correct tax year when you pay.

What if I cannot pay the full amount I owe?

Pay what you can now. The IRS charges interest and penalties on unpaid balances, but paying part of what you owe reduces the interest that builds up. You can also set up a payment plan through IRS.gov or by calling 1-800-829-1040 to spread the remaining balance over several months.

Is there a fee to pay the IRS?

Direct Pay and EFTPS are free. Credit and debit card payments charge a processor fee of 1.87% to 2.35%. Checks and money orders have no fee, but mail takes longer to arrive.

How do I know if the IRS received my payment?

Online payments give you a confirmation number immediately. Mail payments take two to three weeks to post. You can check your payment status anytime by logging into your IRS account at IRS.gov/account or calling 1-800-829-1040.

Can I schedule a payment for a future date?

Yes, both Direct Pay and EFTPS let you schedule payments up to 120 days in advance. Choose the date when you make the payment, and the money will leave your account on that date. This is useful if you want to time the payment with when you receive income.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.