You can pay the IRS through their official website, by phone, by mail, or through a third-party payment processor — each method has different processing times and fees
The IRS accepts payments through several channels, and which one you choose depends on how quickly you need the payment processed and whether you want to pay a fee. The fastest and most direct route is the IRS website at irs.gov/payments, where you can pay with a bank account or debit card at no cost. If you prefer to speak with someone, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 during business hours. You can also mail a check or money order, though this takes longer to reach the IRS and post to your account.
Third-party payment processors — companies like PayPal, Stripe, and others approved by the IRS — let you pay by credit card, but they charge a convenience fee that goes to the processor, not the IRS. The fee is typically 1.87% to 2.35% of your payment amount, depending on the processor and payment method you choose.
Key Takeaways
- The IRS website at irs.gov/payments is free and processes payments the same or next business day when you pay by bank account or debit card.
- Mailing a check or money order is free but takes 7 to 10 business days to reach the IRS and another few days to post to your account.
- Credit card payments through third-party processors charge a convenience fee of roughly 1.87% to 2.35% of the payment amount.
- Calling 1-800-829-1040 lets you pay by phone with a bank account or debit card, but you will speak to a representative and wait times can be long.
Paying through the IRS website with no fee
The IRS Direct Pay system on their website is the fastest and cheapest way to pay. You enter your Social Security number or employer identification number, your filing status, and the tax year you owe for, then link your bank account or enter your debit card information. The payment posts within one business day if you pay before 8 p.m. Eastern time on a business day.
You do not need to create an account or log in with a password — the system generates a confirmation number at the end, and you should save or print it. The IRS sends a receipt by email if you provide one. Direct Pay works for individual income tax, estimated tax payments, and business taxes, though the steps differ slightly depending on what you owe.
One limitation: Direct Pay only accepts bank accounts and debit cards, not credit cards. If you want to pay by credit card, you must use a third-party processor and pay their fee.
Paying by phone or through an automated system
You can call 1-800-829-1040 and speak to an IRS representative who will take your payment information over the phone. The representative can answer questions about what you owe and help you set up a payment plan if you cannot pay in full. However, wait times are often 30 minutes or longer, especially during tax season (January through April).
The IRS also offers an automated phone payment system at 1-800-829-1120 where you enter your information using your phone keypad — no representative needed. This system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and processes payments by bank account or debit card with no fee. The payment posts the same or next business day.
Mailing a check or money order
If you prefer to mail your payment, write a check or get a money order payable to "United States Treasury." Include a payment voucher with your name, address, Social Security number, daytime phone number, the tax year, and the amount you are paying. You can read the voucher from irs.gov or call 1-800-829-1040 to request one by mail.
Mail your check and voucher to the address listed on your tax notice or on the IRS website — the address varies by state. The payment takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive at the IRS and another 5 to 7 business days to post to your account. During this time, interest and penalties continue to accrue on any unpaid balance.
Mailing is free, but the delay means you should send it well before any important date if you want to avoid additional interest charges. The IRS date-stamps mail when it arrives, so if your check reaches them by the important date, it counts as on-time even if it takes longer to post.
Paying by credit card through a third-party processor
The IRS does not accept credit cards directly, but you can pay by credit card through an IRS-approved payment processor. The main processors are American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa — each has its own website and fee structure. You can find the list of approved processors on irs.gov/payments.
The convenience fee charged by the processor typically ranges from 1.87% to 2.35% of your payment amount, depending on which processor you use and whether you pay online or by phone. For example, a $5,000 payment might cost $94 to $118 in fees. The processor sends the payment to the IRS, and it posts within one to three business days.
Credit card payments can be useful if you are earning rewards points or cash back on the card, but only if the rewards value exceeds the fee. Otherwise, paying by bank account through Direct Pay or the automated phone system costs nothing and is faster.
Setting up a payment plan if you cannot pay in full
If you owe more than you can pay right now, you can set up a payment plan with the IRS. A short-term payment plan lets you pay in full within 180 days with no setup fee. A long-term installment agreement spreads payments over months or years and requires a setup fee of $31 to $225, depending on how you set it up (online costs less than by phone or mail).
You can request a payment plan through the IRS website, by phone, or by mail. The IRS will calculate a monthly payment amount based on what you owe and how long you want to pay. Interest and penalties continue to accrue on the unpaid balance, so paying faster saves you money overall.
If you set up a payment plan, you still need to make your regular tax payments on time each year, or the plan may be cancelled.
What happens after you make a payment
Once the IRS receives your payment, it posts to your account and reduces what you owe. You can check the status of your payment on the IRS website using the "Where's My Refund?" tool or by calling 1-800-829-1040. The tool updates once a day, usually overnight, so there is a delay between when you pay and when the website shows the updated balance.
If you paid by mail or through a third-party processor, allow extra time for the payment to reach the IRS before checking the status. If your payment does not appear within 10 business days of when you sent it, contact the IRS to confirm it was received.
Keep your payment confirmation number or receipt for your records. If there is ever a dispute about whether you paid, the confirmation number proves the date and amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay the IRS with a credit card directly?
No, the IRS does not accept credit cards on their website or by phone. You must use a third-party payment processor if you want to pay by credit card, and the processor will charge a convenience fee of roughly 1.87% to 2.35% of your payment.
How long does it take for a payment to show up on my IRS account?
Payments made through the IRS website or automated phone system post within one business day. Payments mailed by check take 7 to 10 days to arrive and another 5 to 7 days to post. Third-party processor payments typically post within one to three business days.
What if I need to pay by a specific important date?
The IRS considers a payment on-time if it is received by the important date, not if it posts to your account. Mail your check at least 10 business days before the important date. For online or phone payments, pay before 8 p.m. Eastern time on the important date date to may support same-day processing.
Can I pay someone else's IRS bill?
Yes, you can pay someone else's tax bill if you have their Social Security number or employer identification number and know what year they owe for. You can pay through the IRS website, by phone, or by mail. The payment reduces their balance, not yours.
What if I overpay the IRS by mistake?
If you pay more than you owe, the IRS will either refund the overpayment or explore it to next year's tax bill, depending on what you request. You can specify your preference when you make the payment, or contact the IRS later to change it.