The IRS offers three main ways to pay online: Direct Pay, the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), and credit or debit card payment through an approved processor.

Direct Pay is the fastest and cheapest option if you have a bank account. You log in with your Social Security number or employer identification number, enter your bank details, and schedule a payment for any date up to 120 days out. There is no fee. The payment reaches the IRS in one to two business days.

EFTPS is the government's dedicated payment system. You enroll once (which takes about a week), then you can schedule payments whenever you need to. Like Direct Pay, there is no fee, and payments post within one to two business days. EFTPS works best if you make regular payments — quarterly estimated taxes, for instance — because you can set up recurring transactions.

Credit or debit card payments go through third-party processors approved by the IRS: Authorize.Net, Paymetrics, and WorldPay. These processors charge a convenience fee (usually 1.87% to 2.35% of the payment amount). Use this option only if you need to pay by card and cannot use Direct Pay or EFTPS.

Key Takeaways

  • Direct Pay and EFTPS are free and work with your bank account; Direct Pay is simpler if you pay once, EFTPS is better if you pay regularly.
  • Credit card payments through approved processors charge a fee of roughly 2% and should be your last choice unless you need the card rewards.
  • All online payments let you schedule a payment date up to 120 days in advance, so you do not have to pay immediately.
  • The IRS sends a confirmation number when your payment is submitted; keep it as proof in case there is ever a question about whether the payment posted.

How to use Direct Pay

Go to irs.gov/payments and select Direct Pay. You will need your Social Security number or EIN, your filing status (if paying as an individual), and your bank account and routing numbers. The site will ask what type of payment this is — for example, Form 1040 income tax, Form 941 payroll tax, or an estimated tax payment.

Enter the payment amount and the date you want it to post. The IRS will show you a confirmation screen with all the details. Review it carefully, then submit. You will receive a confirmation number immediately. The payment will leave your bank account on the date you chose or shortly after, and the IRS will receive it within one to two business days.

Direct Pay works best for one-time payments or occasional payments. If you find yourself paying the IRS multiple times a year, EFTPS may save you time because you do not have to re-enter your bank details each time.

How to set up and use EFTPS

Go to eftps.gov and select "Enroll Now." You will need your Social Security number or EIN, your business name (if applicable), and your bank account and routing numbers. The IRS will mail you a Personal Identification Number (PIN) within about a week. You use that PIN to log in and start making payments.

Once enrolled, you can schedule a payment by logging in, entering the payment amount and the date you want it to post, and confirming. Like Direct Pay, you will receive a confirmation number. Payments post within one to two business days.

EFTPS is particularly useful if you pay estimated taxes quarterly, because you can set up a series of payments in advance. You can also change or cancel a payment up until the day before it is scheduled to post, which gives you flexibility if your situation changes.

Paying by credit or debit card

The IRS does not accept card payments directly. Instead, you go through one of three approved payment processors: Authorize.Net, Paymetrics, or WorldPay. Each processor charges a convenience fee — typically between 1.87% and 2.35% of the payment amount — so a $5,000 payment might cost you $94 to $118 in fees.

To pay by card, go to irs.gov/payments, select the card payment option, and choose which processor you prefer. You will enter your card details, the payment amount, and the date you want it to post. The processor will charge your card immediately and send the payment to the IRS. The IRS will receive it within one to two business days.

Card payments make sense only if you need the card rewards or if you cannot access your bank account for some reason. The fee is usually not worth it otherwise. If you are trying to build credit, paying the IRS by card will not help — the IRS does not report payments to credit bureaus.

What to do if you cannot pay in full right now

If you owe the IRS but cannot pay the full amount immediately, you still have options. You can set up a payment plan (called an installment agreement) that lets you pay over time. Short-term plans (120 days or less) have no setup fee. Long-term plans (more than 120 days) have a setup fee of $31 to $225, depending on how you set it up.

You can request a payment plan through irs.gov/payments or by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. If you owe less than $50,000, you can usually set up a plan online without speaking to anyone. The IRS will deduct your payment from your bank account on a date you choose each month.

If you cannot pay even with a plan, you may be able to request a temporary delay (called Currently Not Collectible status) while you get back on your feet. This pauses collection action but does not erase the debt — interest and penalties continue to accrue.

Keeping track of your payment

Save your confirmation number from every payment you make. The IRS uses this number to track the payment in their system. If you ever need to prove you paid, or if there is a discrepancy between what you paid and what the IRS shows, the confirmation number is your proof.

You can also check the status of a payment you made within the last 120 days by going to irs.gov/payments and selecting "Where's My Payment?" Enter your Social Security number or EIN and the payment amount. The system will tell you whether the payment has posted to your account.

Keep records of all your payments for at least three years. This includes the confirmation number, the date you made the payment, the amount, and the date it posted. If the IRS ever questions whether you paid, these records will back you up.

Common problems and what to do

The most common issue is entering the wrong bank account or routing number. If this happens, the payment will be rejected and returned to your bank within a few days. You will need to make the payment again with the correct information. Check your bank details carefully before you submit.

Another issue is scheduling a payment for a date that has already passed. The IRS will not accept a payment dated in the past. If you are trying to pay for a tax return you filed years ago, you can still pay online, but you need to schedule it for today or a future date.

If a payment shows as submitted but you do not see it post after two business days, wait another day or two. Payments sometimes take longer during tax season or if the IRS system is busy. If it has been more than five business days, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your confirmation number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay the IRS online if I do not have a bank account?

Direct Pay and EFTPS both require a bank account. If you do not have one, your only online option is to pay by credit or debit card through an approved processor. You can also pay by mail with a check or money order, or by phone by calling 1-800-829-1040.

Is it safe to enter my bank information on the IRS website?

Yes. The IRS website uses encryption to protect your information, and Direct Pay and EFTPS are both government systems. You are not entering your information into a third-party site. That said, never pay the IRS through a link in an email or text — scammers use fake IRS messages to steal banking information. Always go directly to irs.gov.

How long does it take for an online payment to show up on my IRS account?

The payment leaves your bank account on the date you scheduled it (or shortly after) and reaches the IRS within one to two business days. Once the IRS receives it, it usually posts to your account within a few days, though it can take longer during tax season.

Can I cancel an online payment after I have submitted it?

It depends on which system you used. With EFTPS, you can cancel up until the day before the payment is scheduled to post. With Direct Pay and card payments, you cannot cancel once submitted — the payment will go through. If you need to stop a payment, contact your bank immediately and ask them to block it.

What if I overpay the IRS by mistake?

The IRS will hold the overpayment and apply it to any future taxes you owe, or you can request a refund. You do not need to do anything immediately — the IRS will sort it out when they process your return. If you want a refund sooner, you can call 1-800-829-1040 and request one.