The IRS accepts payments through five main channels: their official website, phone, mail, in-person at a tax professional's office, or through your bank
The fastest and most direct route is the IRS website at irs.gov/payments. You can pay by debit card, credit card, or electronic bank transfer (ACH) without leaving your house. Phone payments go through the IRS at 1-800-829-1040, where a representative can walk you through the transaction. If you prefer paper, you can mail a check or money order to the IRS address listed on your tax notice. Tax professionals like CPAs and enrolled agents can also process payments on your behalf. Your bank may offer bill pay through its own system, which sends the money to the IRS as an ACH transfer.
Each method has different fees, processing times, and what information you need to have ready. The choice depends on whether you want speed, privacy, or to avoid online transactions entirely.
Key Takeaways
- The IRS website (irs.gov/payments) is the fastest option and works 24/7, accepting debit cards, credit cards, and bank transfers with no IRS fee.
- Credit card and debit card payments through approved payment processors charge a convenience fee of roughly 2% to 3.7%, paid by you, not the IRS.
- Mailing a check or money order is free but takes 7 to 10 business days to reach the IRS and another week to post to your account.
- Bank bill pay through your own financial institution is free and can be set up in minutes, though it also takes 7 to 10 business days to clear.
- Phone payments (1-800-829-1040) require your Social Security number, tax year, and the amount owed, and are processed the same day but may carry a small fee depending on the payment processor.
Paying online through irs.gov/payments
The IRS website payment portal is open every day, including weekends and holidays. You enter your Social Security number or employer identification number (EIN), the tax year you owe for, and the amount. The system then directs you to one of several approved payment processors: Approved Payment Processors (which handles ACH transfers), or card processors like PayPal, Stripe, or Square Cash.
ACH transfers from your bank account have no fee charged by the IRS. Credit and debit card payments charge a convenience fee that ranges from about 2% to 3.7% of the amount you pay, depending on which processor you use. The processor discloses the exact fee before you confirm the payment. The money is withdrawn immediately or within one business day, and the IRS receives notice of payment the same day, though it may take a few days to post to your account.
You do not need to create an account or log into anything. Each payment is a one-time transaction. If you want to set up a recurring payment for installment plans, you can do that through the IRS payment agreement system, which is separate from the one-time payment portal.
Paying by phone with the IRS
Call 1-800-829-1040 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time). Have your Social Security number, the tax year you owe for, and the amount ready. The IRS representative will walk you through the payment and may ask for your bank account information if you choose ACH, or your card number if you choose to pay by card.
Phone payments are processed the same day and posted to your account within one to two business days. Some phone-based payment processors charge a small fee (usually $2.50 to $5), though this varies. The IRS will tell you the fee before you authorize the payment. This method is useful if you have questions about what you owe or need help with the process, but it requires you to call during business hours and may involve a wait.
Mailing a check or money order
Write your check or money order to "United States Treasury." On the front, write your Social Security number, the tax year, and the form type (for example, "1040" or "1120"). Mail it to the address shown on your tax notice or bill. If you do not have a notice, the address depends on your state; the IRS website lists state-by-state mailing addresses under "Where to File".
Mail takes 7 to 10 business days to reach the IRS, and another 5 to 7 business days to post to your account after it arrives. This means you should mail payment at least two weeks before any deadline to be safe. There is no fee to pay by mail. Keep a copy of the check or money order number for your records, and consider sending it by certified mail if you want proof of delivery.
Using your bank's bill pay system
Most banks and credit unions offer bill pay through their online banking portal. You set up "United States Treasury" or "Internal Revenue Service" as a payee, enter the amount, and schedule the payment. Your bank then sends the money to the IRS as an ACH transfer. There is no fee charged by your bank or the IRS.
Bill pay takes 7 to 10 business days to clear, the same as mailing a check. The advantage is that you do not have to write anything by hand, and the transaction is recorded in your bank statement. The disadvantage is that you lose the ability to track exactly when the IRS receives it, since the transfer goes through your bank's system. If you need proof of payment quickly, the online payment portal is faster.
Paying through a tax professional
If you work with a CPA, enrolled agent, or tax attorney, they can submit payment on your behalf through their own systems. They typically use the IRS e-Services platform or a tax software that connects directly to the IRS. The payment is processed the same day and posted within one to two business days.
Your tax professional may charge a fee for this service, separate from their preparation fee. Ask what they charge before you authorize them to pay. This route is most useful if you are already working with someone to resolve a tax issue or if you need the payment tied to a specific form or amended return.
What to do if you cannot pay in full right now
If you owe but do not have the full amount, you can set up a payment plan (called an installment agreement) through the IRS. Short-term plans (120 days or less) have no setup fee. Long-term plans (more than 120 days) charge a setup fee that ranges from $31 to $225 depending on how you set it up and your income level. You can set up a plan online at irs.gov/payments, by phone at 1-800-829-1040, or by mail.
Once a plan is in place, you make monthly payments on a schedule you agree to. Payments can be deducted automatically from your bank account (which reduces the setup fee) or paid manually each month. Interest and penalties continue to accrue on the unpaid balance, so paying faster saves money.
What happens after you pay
The IRS sends a confirmation number immediately after an online or phone payment. Keep this number for your records. It takes 24 hours to 10 business days for the payment to post to your account, depending on the method. During this time, if you check your account balance on the IRS website, it may still show the old amount owed.
Once posted, your balance updates and you receive a notice showing the payment received. If you paid more than you owed, the IRS will either refund the overpayment or apply it to a future tax year, depending on what you request. If you underpaid or made a mistake, contact the IRS immediately at 1-800-829-1040 to correct it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay the IRS with a credit card without a fee?
No. Credit card payments through the IRS website or phone always charge a convenience fee of 2% to 3.7%, paid by you. Debit cards also charge this fee. ACH transfers from your bank account have no fee. If you want to avoid fees, use bank bill pay or mail a check.
What if I pay late?
Late payments do not stop the IRS from collecting, but they trigger additional penalties and interest. The failure-to-pay penalty is 0.5% of the unpaid tax per month. Interest accrues daily at the federal rate plus 3%. If you owe and cannot pay by the deadline, set up a payment plan to reduce the penalty.
Do I need to include a payment voucher when I mail a check?
No, but it helps. If you have a tax notice or bill, include it with your check. If you do not, write your Social Security number, tax year, and form type on the check itself. The IRS can match the payment to your account without a voucher, but it may take longer.
Can I pay someone else's IRS bill?
Yes, but the IRS needs to know whose bill you are paying. Write the taxpayer's Social Security number and tax year on the check or include it in the online payment form. You do not need to be the taxpayer to make the payment.
How do I know if my payment went through?
Online and phone payments give you a confirmation number immediately. For mailed checks, the IRS sends a notice once the payment posts, which takes 10 to 14 business days. You can also check your account balance on the IRS website after posting to confirm the payment was received.