You can pay the IRS with a credit card, but only through a payment processor, and you will pay a convenience fee
The IRS itself does not accept credit cards directly. Instead, you must use one of two approved payment processors — either Official Payments or PayUSAtax — which charge a fee (usually 1.87% to 2.49% of your payment) for handling the transaction. The fee is separate from your tax bill and is not tax-deductible.
Paying by credit card makes sense only if you are earning rewards points that exceed the convenience fee, or if you need to spread the payment over time using a card's promotional 0% APR offer. Otherwise, paying directly from your bank account (through IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS) costs nothing and takes the same amount of time.
Key Takeaways
- The IRS accepts credit card payments only through Official Payments or PayUSAtax, both of which charge a convenience fee between 1.87% and 2.49%.
- You can pay estimated taxes, balance due on your return, or an installment agreement payment with a credit card using either processor.
- The payment posts to your IRS account within one business day, but the credit card company may take longer to process the charge.
- Paying with a credit card makes financial sense only if your card's rewards rate exceeds the convenience fee you will pay.
- If you cannot pay in full, set up an installment agreement through the IRS website or by phone before using a credit card to make payments.
The two IRS-approved payment processors and their fees
Official Payments charges 1.87% for credit card payments. PayUSAtax charges 1.99% for Visa, Mastercard, and Discover, and 2.49% for American Express. Both processors are authorized by the IRS and appear on the official IRS website under payment options.
The fee is calculated on the amount you pay, not on your total tax bill. If you owe $5,000 and pay $2,000 by credit card through Official Payments, you pay $37.40 in fees (1.87% of $2,000), not $93.50. You can make multiple payments and use different processors if you want to compare fees or spread payments across billing cycles.
Neither processor charges a fee to set up an account or to view your payment history. Both allow you to pay when ready or schedule a payment for a future date (up to 120 days out). If you schedule a payment, the fee is locked in at the time you schedule, not at the time the payment processes.
How to pay through Official Payments or PayUSAtax
Go to the IRS website (irs.gov) and look for "Pay Your Tax Bill" or "Payment Options." You will see links to both Official Payments and PayUSAtax. Click the processor you choose.
You will need your Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number, your tax year, and the amount you want to pay. Have your credit card ready. The processor will ask for the card number, expiration date, CVV, and billing address. You will also confirm your mailing address so the IRS can match the payment to your account.
After you submit, you will receive a confirmation number when ready. Write it down or save the email. The payment posts to your IRS account within one business day. Your credit card company may take an additional 1 to 3 business days to process the charge, so do not be alarmed if the charge does not appear on your statement right away.
When paying by credit card makes financial sense
A credit card payment only saves you money if the rewards you earn exceed the convenience fee. If your card earns 2% cash back and you pay $5,000, you earn $100 in rewards but pay $93.50 in fees (at Official Payments' 1.87% rate), netting you $6.50. That is a small gain, but it is a gain.
If your card earns 1% cash back on the same $5,000 payment, you earn $50 but pay $93.50 in fees, losing $43.50. In this case, paying directly from your bank account costs nothing and is the better choice.
A second reason to use a credit card is to take advantage of a 0% APR promotional period. If you owe $10,000 and your card offers 0% APR for 12 months, you could pay the IRS $10,000 now (plus $187 in fees) and then pay off the card over 12 months interest-free. This works only if you are certain you can pay off the balance before the promotional period ends, because the interest rate jumps significantly after.
Paying an installment agreement with a credit card
If you cannot pay your full tax bill at once, you can set up an installment agreement with the IRS. The IRS charges a setup fee ($31 to $225 depending on the type of agreement and how you set it up) and then you make monthly payments.
You can pay each monthly installment with a credit card through Official Payments or PayUSAtax. Each payment will incur its own convenience fee. If your monthly payment is $500 and you make 12 payments, you will pay roughly $112 in total convenience fees (1.87% × $500 × 12). This is on top of the IRS's installment agreement setup fee.
Before you commit to paying installments by credit card, calculate the total cost: IRS setup fee plus all convenience fees. Compare that to paying in full by bank transfer (which costs nothing) or to a short-term personal loan at a lower interest rate.
What happens if you pay late or make a mistake
If you schedule a payment for a future date and then change your mind, you can cancel it through the processor's website before the scheduled date. After the payment processes, you cannot cancel it through the processor — you must contact the IRS directly.
If you overpay by accident (for example, you pay $5,000 when you owed $4,800), the IRS will either refund the overpayment or explore it to a future tax year. You can request a refund by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or by filing Form 843 (Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement).
If your payment does not post to your IRS account within two business days, contact the processor you used. Have your confirmation number ready. The processor can verify that the payment was received and help you track it down if there was a delay.
Alternatives to paying by credit card
IRS Direct Pay is free and allows you to pay directly from your bank account. You enter your routing number and account number, and the IRS pulls the payment from your checking or savings account. It takes the same amount of time as a credit card payment (one business day to post) and costs nothing.
EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System) is also free and allows you to schedule payments up to 120 days in advance. You set up an account on the EFTPS website, enroll your bank account, and then make payments whenever you want. EFTPS is often used by people who make quarterly estimated tax payments.
If you prefer not to pay online, you can mail a check to the IRS (the address depends on your state and is listed on your tax notice) or pay in person at a local IRS office. Mailed payments take longer to post — usually 2 to 4 weeks — so do not mail a check close to a important date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a debit card to pay the IRS?
Yes. Both Official Payments and PayUSAtax accept debit cards and charge the same convenience fee as they do for credit cards. The fee is the same whether you use a credit card, debit card, or prepaid card.
Does paying by credit card help my credit score?
No. The IRS payment does not report to credit bureaus, so it will not help or hurt your credit score. However, if you carry a balance on your credit card after making the payment, the interest you pay on that balance will cost you money.
What if I cannot afford the convenience fee?
Pay through IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS instead — both are free. If you cannot pay your full tax bill, set up an installment agreement with the IRS. The monthly payment will be lower, though you will pay interest and penalties on the unpaid balance.
Can I pay someone else's tax bill with my credit card?
No. The IRS requires that the person whose name and Social Security Number or EIN is on the account be the one making the payment. You cannot pay another person's tax bill through Official Payments or PayUSAtax.
How long does it take for the payment to show up on my credit card statement?
The payment posts to your IRS account within one business day, but your credit card company may take 1 to 3 additional business days to show the charge on your statement. This is normal and does not mean the payment was not received.