Yes, you can pay IRS taxes with a credit card, but a third-party processor charges a fee that often makes it more expensive than other payment methods
The IRS does not accept credit cards directly. Instead, you must use one of three approved payment processors: Official Payments Corporation, Payoneer, or WorldPay. Each processor charges a convenience fee — typically between 1.87% and 2.35% of the amount you pay — which is added to your bill when ready. On a $5,000 tax payment, that fee could be $94 to $118. You cannot deduct this fee from your taxes.
Credit card payments are processed when ready, and the IRS records your payment the same day. This speed matters if you are close to a important date, but the fee cost should drive your decision. If you have the cash to pay by bank transfer, check, or electronic federal tax payment system (EFTPS), those methods are free.
Key Takeaways
- The IRS accepts credit card payments only through Official Payments Corporation, Payoneer, or WorldPay, each charging a convenience fee of roughly 1.87% to 2.35%.
- A credit card payment posts to your IRS account the same day, which matters if you are near a filing or payment important date.
- The convenience fee is not tax-deductible and applies to the full amount you pay, so a $10,000 payment costs an extra $187 to $235.
- EFTPS, checks, and bank transfers are free alternatives, though they take longer to process and post to your account.
- Business and individual tax payments use the same processors and fee structure, whether you are paying estimated taxes or a balance owed.
The Three Approved Processors and Their Fees
Official Payments Corporation charges 1.87% for credit card payments. Payoneer charges 1.99%. WorldPay charges 2.35%. These are the only three processors the IRS has authorized, and you cannot use a credit card through any other service. The fee is calculated on your total payment amount and charged to your card when ready — you do not pay it separately.
Each processor handles the transaction slightly differently. Official Payments and Payoneer allow you to pay by phone or online. WorldPay operates primarily through tax software integration, so if you use TurboTax, H&R Block, or similar programs, WorldPay may appear as an option during checkout. You can also pay WorldPay directly through their website.
The fee difference between processors is small — roughly $5 to $10 on a $1,000 payment — so the choice usually comes down to which interface you find easiest to use. All three post payments to the IRS the same day.
When a Credit Card Payment Makes Sense
A credit card payment is worth the fee only in specific situations. If you are paying on the actual tax important date and a check would not arrive in time, a credit card ensures the IRS records your payment before midnight. If you are earning credit card rewards and your card offers cash back or points on all purchases, the rewards might offset part of the fee — though this is rare for tax payments, which many cards exclude from bonus categories.
If you are in a payment plan dispute with the IRS or facing a penalty for late payment, posting a payment the same day can sometimes reduce the penalty amount, since the IRS calculates penalties based on the date the payment posts, not the date you submit it. In these narrow cases, the fee may be worth paying.
For most people, though, the fee is a pure cost. If you have time before the important date, a free method saves money.
How to Pay Through Each Processor
Official Payments Corporation: Visit officialpayments.com, select "IRS" as the biller, enter your Social Security number or employer identification number, and the amount owed. You can pay by phone at 1-800-2PAY-TAX (1-800-272-9829) or online. The system generates a confirmation number when ready.
Payoneer: Go to payoneer.com/irs, log in or create an account, and enter your tax information. Payoneer also accepts payments by phone. A confirmation number appears after the transaction completes.
WorldPay: If you are using tax software, WorldPay usually appears as a payment option during the final steps. You can also visit worldpay.com and select IRS as the biller. Phone payments are available at 1-844-PAY-1040 (1-844-729-1040).
All three processors require your Social Security number or EIN, the tax year you are paying for, and the exact amount owed. Have your tax return or notice in front of you when you call or pay online. The payment posts within hours, and you will receive a confirmation number to keep for your records.
Free Alternatives to Credit Card Payment
EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System): This is the IRS's own free payment system. You enroll online at eftps.gov, link your bank account, and schedule payments up to 120 days in advance. Payments post within one to two business days. There is no fee, and you can set up recurring payments for estimated taxes.
Bank transfer or ACH debit: Many banks allow you to pay the IRS directly through their bill-pay system. Log into your bank's website, add the IRS as a payee, and schedule the payment. This is free and takes two to three business days to post.
Check or money order: Mail a check to the IRS address listed on your tax notice or return. Include your Social Security number or EIN on the check. Mailed payments take 7 to 14 days to post, so mail early if you are near a important date.
IRS Direct Pay: The IRS offers its own online payment tool at irs.gov/payments. You enter your tax information, link your bank account, and pay for free. Payments post within one business day. This is the fastest free option.
Credit Card Rewards and Tax Payments
Most credit card rewards programs exclude tax payments from bonus categories. American Express, Chase, and Capital One typically do not award points or cash back on payments made through Official Payments, Payoneer, or WorldPay. The processors code these transactions as "government services" or "tax payments," which most cards treat as ineligible for rewards.
Even if your card did award rewards, the math rarely works. A 2% cash-back card would earn $20 on a $1,000 payment, but the convenience fee is $18.70 to $23.50 — so you would break even or lose money. The only exception is if your card offers an unusually high rewards rate (3% or more) and explicitly includes tax payments in that category, which is uncommon.
If you are considering a credit card payment primarily for rewards, calculate the fee first. The fee almost always outweighs the benefit.
Paying Estimated Taxes and Installment Agreements
You can use credit cards to pay quarterly estimated taxes through the same three processors. The fee structure is identical — roughly 1.87% to 2.35% — and the payment posts the same day. If you are on an IRS installment agreement, you can also pay your monthly installment by credit card, though the fee applies each time.
For people paying estimated taxes throughout the year, the fees add up quickly. If you pay $5,000 in estimated taxes each quarter, four credit card payments would cost $374 to $470 in fees annually. Setting up EFTPS or using IRS Direct Pay eliminates this cost entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the IRS accept American Express, Visa, or Mastercard directly?
No. The IRS only accepts credit cards through Official Payments Corporation, Payoneer, or WorldPay. You cannot call the IRS or visit an IRS office to pay with a credit card. You must go through one of these three processors.
What happens if I pay by credit card but do not have the full balance to pay off when ready?
The convenience fee is charged to your card right away, separate from the tax payment itself. If you carry a balance on your credit card, you will pay interest on both the tax payment and the fee. This makes credit card payments even more expensive if you cannot pay off the card when ready.
Can I deduct the convenience fee on my taxes?
No. The IRS does not allow you to deduct credit card convenience fees as a tax expense. The fee is a cost of payment, not a deductible tax-related expense. This is another reason to use a free payment method if possible.
If I pay by credit card on April 15, will the IRS consider it on time?
Yes, as long as you submit the payment before midnight on April 15. Credit card payments post the same day, so the IRS records your payment on April 15 if you pay before the important date. Mailed checks must be postmarked by April 15, which is why they are riskier near the important date.
Can I use a business credit card to pay business taxes?
Yes. Business tax payments use the same three processors and the same fee structure. The convenience fee applies whether you are paying individual or business taxes. The fee is not deductible as a business expense.