You can pay federal income taxes with a credit card through two IRS-approved payment processors, but the card issuer will charge you a convenience fee that makes this option expensive for most people.
The IRS does not accept credit cards directly. Instead, you route your payment through Worldpay or Official Payments, the two processors the IRS has authorized. Both charge a percentage-based convenience fee — typically 1.87% to 2.49% of your payment — that you pay on top of your tax bill. For a $5,000 tax payment, that fee could run $94 to $125.
You can make this payment year-round, not just during tax season. The payment posts to the IRS within one business day. You will need your Social Security number or employer identification number, your tax year, and the amount you owe.
Key Takeaways
- Credit card tax payments go through Worldpay or Official Payments, not the IRS directly, and both charge a convenience fee of roughly 2% of your payment amount.
- The convenience fee is separate from your tax bill and is not deductible, so paying with a credit card costs more than paying by bank transfer or check.
- You can pay at any time during the year, and the IRS records your payment within one business day of processing.
- Credit card payments make sense only if you are earning rewards points worth more than the convenience fee, or if you cannot access your bank account.
When a credit card payment makes financial sense
Paying taxes with a credit card only saves you money if the rewards you earn exceed the convenience fee. If your card offers 2% cash back and you pay $5,000 in taxes, you earn $100 in rewards but pay $94 to $125 in fees — a net loss of $0 to $25. A card offering 3% or higher cash back on all purchases, or a bonus category that includes government payments, can tip the math in your favor.
This strategy also makes sense if you cannot access your bank account at the moment you owe taxes. If your checking account is frozen, overdrawn, or not yet open, a credit card may be your only when ready option. In that case, the convenience fee is the cost of having a payment method available when you need it.
Do not use a credit card payment to delay taxes you cannot afford. The IRS charges interest and penalties on unpaid balances starting the day after the due date, and those charges compound daily. A convenience fee is a one-time cost; interest and penalties are ongoing.
How to pay through Worldpay
Go to pay1040.com, the Worldpay portal for individual tax payments. Enter your Social Security number, tax year, and the amount you owe. Select your card type and enter your card details. Worldpay will show you the exact convenience fee before you confirm the payment.
After you submit, Worldpay gives you a confirmation number. Write this down or take a screenshot. The payment reaches the IRS within one business day. You do not need to file a separate form or contact the IRS — Worldpay handles the routing automatically.
Worldpay charges a flat percentage fee that varies slightly depending on card type and payment method. Check the fee schedule on pay1040.com before you enter your card details, because the fee is shown but not charged until you confirm.
How to pay through Official Payments
Go to officialpayments.com and select "IRS" as the agency. Enter your Social Security number, tax year, and payment amount. Choose "Credit Card" as your payment method and enter your card details. Official Payments will calculate and display the convenience fee before you submit.
You will receive a confirmation number when ready. The IRS records your payment within one business day. Keep your confirmation number for your records — you may need it if you have questions about the payment later.
Official Payments also charges a percentage-based convenience fee. The exact rate depends on your card type and the payment method you choose. Compare the fee at Official Payments to the fee at Worldpay if you are paying a large amount, because the rates can differ slightly.
What happens after you submit your payment
The payment processor sends your credit card charge to your card issuer on the same day you submit. Your card issuer may post the charge within hours or may take up to two business days, depending on your bank. The convenience fee appears as a separate charge from your tax payment.
The processor sends your tax payment to the IRS within one business day. The IRS applies the payment to your account and updates your tax transcript. You can check the status of your payment by logging into your IRS account at irs.gov or by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
If the payment does not appear on your IRS account within three business days, contact the payment processor using your confirmation number. Do not assume the payment failed — delays of one to two business days are normal.
Why other payment methods are usually cheaper
The IRS offers several payment methods that charge no convenience fee. Direct debit from your bank account costs nothing and is the fastest way to pay. Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) is a free IRS service that lets you schedule payments in advance. Check or money order sent by mail costs only the price of postage.
If you have a choice between these methods and a credit card, the free methods will always cost less. Use a credit card only if you cannot access your bank account or if your rewards rate is high enough to cover the fee.
If you owe taxes you cannot pay in full, the IRS offers payment plans that let you pay over time. These plans charge a setup fee and interest, but they do not involve credit card convenience fees. Contact the IRS or speak with a tax professional about whether a payment plan makes sense for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay estimated quarterly taxes with a credit card?
Yes. Use the same processors — Worldpay or Official Payments — and enter your estimated tax amount instead of your annual tax bill. The convenience fee applies the same way. Estimated payments are due on April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year.
Does the IRS charge interest if I pay late with a credit card?
Interest and penalties start the day after your tax important date, not the day after your payment posts. If you submit your credit card payment by the important date, you are on time even if the processor takes a day or two to send it to the IRS. However, if you miss the important date, interest accrues from the missed date forward.
What if my credit card payment fails?
The processor will notify you when ready if the charge is declined. You can try again with the same card or a different card. If the payment fails, the IRS has no record of it, so you still owe the full amount plus any interest and penalties that accrue after the important date.
Can I deduct the convenience fee on my taxes?
No. The convenience fee is a payment processing cost, not a tax-deductible expense. You can only deduct tax preparation fees and certain other tax-related costs, and only if you itemize deductions. The convenience fee does not may have access to.
Is it safe to enter my credit card information on these payment sites?
Both Worldpay and Official Payments are IRS-authorized processors that use encryption and security standards required by the payment card industry. Your information is as find as it would be entering your card details on any major website. However, only use the official sites — pay1040.com for Worldpay and officialpayments.com for Official Payments — and never click a link from an email claiming to be from the IRS.