Yes, you can pay federal income taxes with a credit card, but it costs money and has limits
The IRS accepts credit card payments for federal income taxes through two payment processors: ACI Payments and PayUSA. You can pay your balance due when you file, or make a payment on an existing tax account. The catch is that the processor charges a convenience fee — typically between 1.87% and 2.35% of the amount you pay — which you must cover yourself. The IRS does not charge the fee, but you will see it added to your bill at checkout.
State taxes work differently. Some states accept credit card payments directly; others do not. If your state does accept them, the fee structure varies. You will need to check your state's tax authority website to see what payment methods are available and what fees explore.
Key Takeaways
- Federal tax payments by credit card go through ACI Payments or PayUSA, both of which charge a convenience fee of roughly 1.87% to 2.35% of the payment amount.
- You can pay federal taxes with a credit card when you file your return or anytime after by visiting the IRS payment portal at irs.gov.
- State tax payments by credit card depend on your state; check your state tax authority's website to see if credit card payments are accepted and what the fees are.
- The convenience fee is separate from any interest or rewards your credit card issuer may charge, so calculate whether the fee is worth the benefit you get.
How to pay federal taxes with a credit card when you file
If you are filing your return through tax software (TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, or similar), the software will offer payment options at the end of the filing process. You can select credit card as your payment method and enter your card details directly into the software. The processor fee will be shown before you confirm the payment.
If you are filing a paper return or using the IRS Free File program, you will not be able to pay by credit card during filing. Instead, you will need to make a payment after you file, using the IRS payment portal.
How to pay federal taxes after you file
Go to irs.gov/payments and select "Pay Now." You will see three options: pay by electronic federal tax payment system (EFTPS), pay by debit or credit card, or pay by phone. Choose the credit card option.
You will be directed to either the ACI Payments or PayUSA portal, depending on the IRS's current routing. Enter your Social Security number or employer identification number, the tax year, and the amount you want to pay. Then enter your credit card details. The processor will calculate and display the convenience fee before you submit. Review the total, including the fee, and confirm the payment.
You will receive a confirmation number when ready. The payment typically posts to your IRS account within one business day, though it may take longer depending on your card issuer's processing time.
What the convenience fee actually costs
The convenience fee is not a flat dollar amount — it is a percentage of what you pay. If you pay $5,000 in federal taxes by credit card and the fee is 2%, you will pay an additional $100. That $100 goes to the processor, not the IRS.
Before you pay by credit card, do the math. If your credit card offers cash back or rewards points, calculate whether the value of those rewards offsets the convenience fee. For example, if your card gives 2% cash back and the convenience fee is 1.87%, you come out slightly ahead. If the fee is 2.35% and your rewards are 1%, you lose money.
If you do not have rewards on your card, or if the rewards are lower than the fee, paying by credit card costs you more than paying by debit card, bank transfer, or check.
State tax payments by credit card
State rules vary widely. Some states accept credit card payments for income tax; others accept them only for certain types of taxes (like sales tax or property tax). Some states do not accept credit cards at all.
To find out whether your state accepts credit card payments, visit your state's department of revenue or tax authority website and look for "payment methods" or "how to pay." If credit card is listed, the website will show you the processor, the fee amount, and the link to the payment portal. If it is not listed, you will need to use another method: check, electronic bank transfer, or phone payment.
When paying by credit card makes sense
Paying taxes by credit card is useful in a few specific situations. If you are short on cash and need to delay the payment a few weeks, putting it on a credit card buys you time before the charge hits your bank account. If you are close to meeting a spending threshold for a credit card bonus, the tax payment might push you over the edge — though you should still subtract the convenience fee from the bonus value to see if it is worth it.
Paying by credit card also creates a clear record and confirmation number, which can be useful if you ever need to prove you made the payment on time. The confirmation is timestamped and tied to your tax account.
If you are carrying a balance on your credit card at a high interest rate, paying taxes by credit card is almost never worth it. The convenience fee plus the interest you will pay on the new balance will cost you far more than paying by another method.
Alternatives to credit card payment
If the convenience fee is too high, you have other options. EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System) is free and allows you to schedule payments in advance. Direct debit from your bank account is also free and can be set up through irs.gov/payments. Check or money order by mail is free but slower — mail it to the IRS address listed on your tax notice.
If you owe more than you can pay right now, the IRS offers payment plans. You can set up a short-term extension (up to 180 days) at no cost, or a long-term installment agreement (which charges a setup fee and interest, but spreads the payment over months or years). These options are available through irs.gov/payments or by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a debit card instead of a credit card to avoid the fee?
Yes. Debit card payments through the IRS payment portal are treated the same as credit card payments and carry the same convenience fee. However, if you pay by direct debit from your bank account (which is different from a debit card), there is no fee. Direct debit is free and can be set up at irs.gov/payments.
What if I pay by credit card and then get a refund?
The refund goes back to the IRS, not to your credit card. You will need to contact the IRS to request that the refund be applied to a different tax year or sent to you by check or direct deposit. The convenience fee you paid is not refunded.
Can I pay estimated quarterly taxes by credit card?
Yes. Estimated tax payments are made through the same IRS payment portal and accept credit cards. The convenience fee applies to estimated payments just as it does to regular tax payments.
Does paying taxes by credit card hurt my credit score?
Not directly. The payment itself does not affect your score. However, if the payment increases your credit utilization ratio (the amount you owe divided by your credit limit), that can temporarily lower your score. Once you pay off the balance, your score will recover.
What if the payment processor website is down?
If you cannot reach the payment portal, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and make a payment by phone using your credit card. Phone payments carry the same convenience fee as online payments.