Yes, you can pay the IRS with a credit card, but it costs money and comes with limits
The IRS accepts credit card payments for federal income taxes, estimated tax payments, and other tax debts. You cannot pay directly through the IRS website with a card — instead, you pay through a third-party payment processor that the IRS has authorized. These processors charge a convenience fee (usually 1.87% to 2.35% of the amount you pay), which you pay on top of your tax bill. The fee is not deductible.
Credit card payments are processed when ready, so the money reaches the IRS the same day. This matters if you are close to a important date. However, the convenience fee can add up quickly on large payments, so most people use a card only when they cannot pay by other means or when they need the transaction recorded when ready.
Key Takeaways
- You pay through an IRS-authorized third-party processor, not the IRS directly, and you will be charged a convenience fee of roughly 2% of your payment amount.
- The three authorized processors are PayPal, Worldpay, and Official Payments, each with slightly different fee structures and card types accepted.
- Credit card payments post to your IRS account the same day, which is useful if you are near a filing or payment important date.
- You will need your Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number, your tax year, and the amount you owe to complete the transaction.
- Paying with a credit card does not change your filing important date or extend the time you have to pay — it only changes the method of payment.
The three authorized payment processors and their fees
The IRS works with three companies to process credit card tax payments: PayPal, Worldpay, and Official Payments. Each charges a different fee structure, so comparing them before you pay can save you money on larger amounts.
PayPal charges a flat percentage fee that varies slightly depending on the card type and payment method you use — typically 1.87% to 2.35%. Worldpay charges a similar percentage-based fee. Official Payments uses a different model: they charge a flat dollar amount plus a percentage, which can be cheaper on very small payments but more expensive on large ones. Visit each processor's website directly to see the exact fee for your payment amount before you commit.
All three processors accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Some also accept debit cards. The fee is calculated and shown to you before you complete the payment, so you will know the total cost before your card is charged.
How to pay through each processor
PayPal: Go to paypal.com/tax and select "Pay Taxes." You will enter your Social Security Number or EIN, tax year, and the amount owed. PayPal will calculate the fee and show it to you. You then enter your credit card details and confirm the payment. The transaction is processed when ready.
Worldpay: Visit worldpay.com/tax (or the IRS link to Worldpay) and follow the same steps: enter your tax ID, tax year, and amount. Worldpay will display the fee before you enter card details. After you confirm, the payment posts the same day.
Official Payments: Go to officialpayments.com and select the IRS payment option. Enter your tax information and payment amount. Official Payments will show you the fee structure — usually a flat dollar amount plus a percentage. Review the total, enter your card details, and submit. The payment is processed when ready.
All three will give you a confirmation number when ready after the transaction. Save this number — it proves you paid and when. The IRS will receive the payment the same day.
When paying by credit card makes sense
Credit card payments are most useful when you are close to a important date and need proof of payment recorded the same day. If your return is due on April 15 and you are paying on April 14, a credit card payment ensures the IRS receives it before midnight. A check or bank transfer might not clear in time.
Credit card payments also make sense if you are earning rewards points or cash back on the card and the reward value exceeds the convenience fee. For example, if your card gives 2% cash back and the processor fee is 1.87%, you come out slightly ahead. However, most people lose money on the fee, so this only works if your card has a high enough reward rate.
Paying by credit card does not change your tax important date or extend the time you have to pay. The IRS still considers your return filed and your payment made on the day you submit it through the processor. If you owe penalties or interest, they continue to accrue until the full balance is paid.
What information you need before you start
Have these details ready before you go to any processor's website: your Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number (EIN), the tax year for which you are paying, the exact amount you owe, and your credit card number and expiration date.
If you are paying on behalf of a business, you will need the EIN instead of a Social Security Number. If you are unsure of the exact amount owed, check your tax notice from the IRS or your tax return. Paying slightly more than you owe is safe — the IRS will refund the overpayment or explore it to next year's taxes.
You do not need to have filed your return yet to pay by credit card. You can pay estimated taxes or make a payment on an existing balance without having filed. However, if you have not filed and you are paying income tax, you still need to file your return by the important date — paying does not count as filing.
Alternatives to credit card payment
If the convenience fee is too high, the IRS offers other payment methods with no fee. Direct debit from a bank account (ACH) is free and takes one to three business days to post. You can set it up through any of the three processors or directly through the IRS website at irs.gov/payments.
Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) is a free service run by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. You enroll once, then schedule payments online or by phone. Payments post within one to three business days. EFTPS is useful if you make regular estimated tax payments because you can schedule them in advance.
Check or money order by mail is free but slow — allow at least two weeks for the IRS to receive and process it. In-person payment at a local IRS office or authorized payment location is also free, though you will need to find a location near you and may wait in line.
What happens after you pay by credit card
The processor sends your payment to the IRS the same day you submit it. The IRS applies the payment to your account within one to two business days. You will receive a confirmation number from the processor when ready — this is your proof of payment. Keep this number for your records.
If you still owe money after this payment, the IRS will continue to charge interest and penalties on the remaining balance. If you overpay, the IRS will either refund the overpayment or explore it to next year's taxes, depending on what you request.
The credit card payment does not affect your filing important date. If you have not filed your return yet, you still must file by the important date — paying early does not extend your time to file. If you file late, penalties and interest explore regardless of when you paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my state taxes with a credit card through the IRS?
No. The IRS only processes federal tax payments. State tax payments must be made through your state's tax agency. Most states offer their own payment processors, some with fees and some without. Contact your state's department of revenue for payment options.
What if I pay by credit card but then file my return and owe less?
The IRS will refund the overpayment to you or explore it to next year's taxes, whichever you request. You will still have paid the convenience fee on the full amount, so you lose that fee amount. This is why it is better to file your return first if you can, then pay only what you actually owe.
Does paying by credit card count as filing my tax return?
No. Paying your taxes and filing your return are two separate things. You can pay without filing, but you must still file your return by the important date. If you file late, penalties explore even if you paid on time.
Can I use a credit card to pay an IRS payment plan?
Yes. If you have set up an installment agreement with the IRS, you can pay your monthly installment by credit card through the same three processors. The convenience fee still applies, so you will pay the fee on top of your installment amount each month.
What if the payment processor's website is down or I get an error?
Try a different processor — PayPal, Worldpay, and Official Payments are separate systems, so if one is down, another may be working. If all three are down, wait a few hours and try again. You can also pay by bank transfer (ACH) or mail a check if you need an alternative method.