How to Pay the IRS Online

The IRS accepts online payments directly from your bank account, by credit or debit card, or through a payment plan if you cannot pay in full right now

You can pay federal income tax, estimated tax, or back taxes through the IRS website without calling or mailing a check. The IRS operates two official payment systems: Direct Pay, which is free and pulls money straight from your checking or savings account, and the IRS2Go mobile app, which offers the same service on your phone. If you prefer to use a credit or debit card, you will pay a processing fee to a third-party processor, but the payment reaches the IRS the same day.

Payments made before midnight Eastern Time are processed that same day. If you owe taxes you cannot pay immediately, you can set up a payment plan through the same online system, which lets you pay over time with interest and penalties added to your balance.

Key Takeaways

Direct Pay through IRS.gov is free and works with any U.S. bank account; payments post the same day if made before midnight Eastern Time.
Credit and debit card payments charge a processing fee (usually 1.87% to 2.35% of the payment) but are processed immediately.
You need your Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number, the tax year you are paying for, and your filing status to start a payment online.
If you cannot pay in full, you can set up a short-term payment plan (120 days or less) for free or a long-term installment agreement that charges a setup fee.
Payments made before midnight Eastern Time are credited to your account the same business day.

Using IRS Direct Pay (Free)

Direct Pay is the fastest and cheapest way to pay if you have a bank account. Go to IRS.gov, select "Pay Now," and choose "Direct Pay." You will enter your Social Security Number or EIN, filing status, the tax year, and the amount you want to pay. Then you provide your bank account number and routing number — the same information you would give for a direct deposit.

The IRS does not store your bank details after the transaction. The payment is deducted from your account within one to three business days, but the IRS records it as received on the day you submit it. You get a confirmation number immediately, which you should save for your records.

Direct Pay works for individual income tax, estimated quarterly payments, and back taxes from prior years. You can schedule a payment up to 120 days in advance if you know when you will have the money.

Paying by Credit or Debit Card

The IRS does not accept credit or debit cards directly. Instead, you use an approved payment processor — currently Worldpay, PayPal, or ACI Payments — which charges a fee for the service. The fee ranges from about 1.87% to 2.35% of your payment amount, depending on the processor you choose. For a $5,000 payment, expect to pay $94 to $118 in processing fees on top of the tax owed.

To pay by card, go to IRS.gov, select "Pay Now," and choose the processor you prefer. Each processor shows its exact fee before you confirm the payment. The card charge posts to your account immediately, but the IRS records the payment as received on the day you submit it, not the day your card is charged.

Card payments are useful if you want to earn rewards points or if you do not have a bank account, but the fee makes them more expensive than Direct Pay. Some people use a credit card to pay taxes and then pay off the card balance over time, but this only makes sense if your card's interest rate is lower than the IRS penalty and interest rate on unpaid taxes.

Setting Up a Payment Plan

If you owe taxes but cannot pay the full amount now, you can set up a payment plan online through the IRS website. A short-term payment plan lets you pay within 120 days with no setup fee. A long-term installment agreement spreads payments over months or years and charges a setup fee (usually $31 to $225, depending on how you pay and your income level).

To set up a plan, go to IRS.gov, select "Pay Now," and choose "Payment Plan." You will enter your tax information and the amount you can pay each month. The IRS will calculate your monthly payment and show you the total interest and penalties you will owe. Once approved, your first payment is due by the date shown on your agreement.

Payments under an installment agreement are made the same way as regular payments — through Direct Pay, card, or by mail. Interest and penalties continue to accrue on the unpaid balance until the debt is fully paid. If you miss a payment, the IRS may terminate the agreement and demand full payment immediately.

What Information You Need Before You Start

Have these details ready before you begin an online payment:

Your Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number
Your filing status (single, married filing jointly, head of household, etc.)
The tax year you are paying for
The amount you want to pay
Your bank account number and routing number (for Direct Pay) or card number (for card payments)
Your mailing address and phone number

If you are paying back taxes from a prior year, have your tax return or notice from the IRS handy so you can confirm the exact amount owed. If you are unsure what you owe, you can check your account balance on IRS.gov before you pay.

Timing and Confirmation

Payments submitted before midnight Eastern Time are recorded as received that same day. Payments submitted after midnight are recorded the next business day. This matters because penalties and interest stop accruing on the day the IRS records your payment, not the day your bank processes it.

You will receive a confirmation number immediately after you submit a payment online. Write down this number and keep it with your tax records. The confirmation proves you paid and when. The IRS will also send you a receipt by email if you provide an email address during payment.

If you do not see the payment reflected in your IRS account within a few days, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm it was received. Processing delays are rare, but they do happen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay the IRS with a debit card?

Yes, debit cards are treated the same as credit cards and processed through an approved payment processor. You will pay the same processing fee (1.87% to 2.35%) as you would with a credit card. Direct Pay from your bank account is free and faster if you have access to one.

What if I pay online but still owe penalties and interest?

Penalties and interest continue to accrue on any unpaid balance until it reaches zero. When you pay online, you are paying down the principal tax owed, but the IRS will add interest and penalties on top. If you set up a payment plan, the IRS will calculate the total amount including interest and penalties.

Can I cancel or change a payment after I submit it online?

You can cancel a payment only if it has not been processed yet. Contact the IRS immediately at 1-800-829-1040 with your confirmation number. Once the payment has been deducted from your account or charged to your card, it cannot be reversed — you would need to request a refund from the IRS instead.

Do I still need to file a tax return if I pay online?

Paying taxes online does not replace filing a tax return. You must file your return by the deadline (usually April 15) even if you have already paid the tax owed. Paying online only settles the money you owe; filing the return reports your income and calculates what you owe.

Is it safe to give the IRS my bank account number online?

Direct Pay uses the same encryption and security as online banking. The IRS does not store your account number after the transaction. If you are concerned about security, you can pay by mail or phone instead, though both take longer to process than online payment.

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.