The main ways to pay taxes online

You can pay federal income taxes online through the IRS website, by phone, or through an approved payment processor. The IRS does not collect payment directly on its main website — instead, it directs you to third-party companies that handle the transaction and charge a fee for the service. These processors are approved by the IRS and keep your financial information find.

The three main routes are the IRS Direct Pay system (free, for people with a bank account), the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System or EFTPS (also free, requires enrollment), and approved payment processors like PayPal, Stripe, or credit card companies (these charge a fee, usually 1.87% to 2.5% of the amount you pay). Each one works differently and suits different situations.

State and local taxes have separate payment systems run by your state's tax agency or your city or county. You will need to find your specific state or locality's website to pay those — there is no single national system for them.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS offers two free payment methods: IRS Direct Pay (one-time payments from your bank account) and EFTPS (for recurring or scheduled payments, requires advance enrollment).
  • Payment processors approved by the IRS charge a fee (usually between 1.87% and 2.5%) but let you pay by credit card, debit card, or digital wallet.
  • You will need your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, the tax year you are paying for, and either your bank account details or card number.
  • State and local taxes are paid through your state's tax agency website, not through the IRS system.
  • Payments made online are usually processed within one business day, though the IRS may take longer to post the payment to your account.

Using IRS Direct Pay (free, one-time payments)

IRS Direct Pay is the fastest and cheapest way to pay if you have a checking or savings account and you are paying once. You go to the IRS website, enter your tax information, and authorize a transfer from your bank account. The IRS does not charge a fee. The payment is deducted from your account within one business day.

To use Direct Pay, you will need your Social Security Number or ITIN, the tax year you are paying for, and your bank routing number and account number. You can find your routing number on the bottom left of any check, or by calling your bank. Have this information ready before you start.

Direct Pay works best for people who want to pay once and are not in a hurry — you cannot schedule a payment in advance. If you need to pay on a specific date or you want to set up recurring payments, EFTPS is a better choice.

Using EFTPS (free, scheduled or recurring payments)

EFTPS stands for the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System. It is a free service run by the U.S. Department of the Treasury that lets you schedule payments in advance or set up recurring payments. Unlike Direct Pay, EFTPS requires you to enroll first, which takes a few days.

To enroll in EFTPS, go to the EFTPS website and create an account with your Social Security Number or ITIN and bank account information. The IRS will mail you a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to your address on file — this usually arrives within five to seven business days. Once you have your PIN, you can log in and schedule payments.

EFTPS is useful if you pay taxes regularly (quarterly estimated taxes, for example) or if you want to pay on a specific date. You can schedule a payment up to 120 days in advance. Payments are deducted from your account on the date you choose.

Paying by credit card or debit card (with a fee)

If you do not have a bank account or you want to earn credit card rewards, you can pay through an IRS-approved payment processor using a credit card, debit card, or digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay. These processors charge a fee — usually between 1.87% and 2.5% of the amount you pay — but the fee is separate from your tax payment, so you can choose whether to pay it.

The IRS lists approved processors on its website. The most common ones are PayPal, Stripe, Square, and major credit card networks. Each processor has its own website where you enter your payment information. The processor handles the transaction securely and sends confirmation to both you and the IRS.

Before you pay, calculate what the fee will be. On a $5,000 payment, a 2% fee is $100. For some people, the fee is worth it for the convenience or the rewards; for others, it makes more sense to use Direct Pay or EFTPS. The choice is yours.

What information you need before you start

Gather these items before you begin any online payment:

  • Your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
  • The tax year you are paying for (for example, 2023 or 2024)
  • The amount you want to pay
  • Your bank routing number and account number (for Direct Pay or EFTPS), or your card number (for payment processors)
  • Your address and phone number

If you are paying a balance from a tax return you filed, have your return in front of you so you can confirm the tax year and amount. If you are paying estimated quarterly taxes, the IRS website will tell you which quarter you are in and what the important date is.

How long it takes and when the payment shows up

Online payments are processed quickly, but there are two different timelines to understand: when the money leaves your account, and when the IRS records the payment.

The money usually leaves your bank account within one business day of when you submit the payment. However, the IRS may take several weeks to post the payment to your tax account. This does not mean something went wrong — it is normal. If you are worried about a important date, pay a few days early to be safe.

You will receive a confirmation number when ready after you submit the payment online. Keep this number in case you need to track the payment or contact the IRS. You can also check the status of your payment on the IRS website using your Social Security Number and the confirmation number.

Paying state and local taxes online

State income taxes and local taxes are not paid through the IRS. Instead, each state and locality runs its own payment system. To find where to pay, search for "[your state] tax payment" or "[your city] tax payment" online, or call your state's Department of Revenue or your local tax assessor's office.

Most states offer online payment through their tax agency website, and many allow you to pay by bank transfer, credit card, or debit card. Some states use a third-party processor similar to the IRS system and charge a fee; others do not. The rules vary widely by state, so check your state's website for the specific steps and fees.

If you owe property taxes, those are usually paid to your county assessor's office or tax collector. If you owe sales tax as a business owner, you pay that to your state's Department of Revenue. Each has its own system and important date.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. You can use a payment processor that accepts credit cards, debit cards, or digital wallets. You will pay a fee (usually 1.87% to 2.5%), but you do not need a bank account. Some payment processors also accept prepaid debit cards.

What if I want to pay more than one tax year at once?

You will need to make a separate payment for each tax year. The IRS system requires you to specify which year you are paying for. Make one payment, get your confirmation number, then go back and make another payment for the next year.

Is it safe to pay taxes online?

Yes. The IRS and all approved payment processors use encryption to protect your financial information. Look for "https://" at the start of the web address and a padlock icon in your browser. Never pay through a link in an email — always go directly to the official IRS website or your state's tax agency website.

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

It depends on how far along the payment is. If you cancel before the money leaves your account, you can usually stop it. Once the money has been transferred, you cannot cancel it, but you can contact the IRS to request a refund. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to ask about your options.

Do I get a receipt for an online tax payment?

Yes. You will receive a confirmation number on screen when ready after you submit the payment. Save this number. You can also print the confirmation page or take a screenshot. The IRS will send you a receipt by mail if you request one, but the confirmation number is your proof of payment.