Yes, the IRS accepts credit card payments, but you pay a processing fee and must use an approved payment processor
The IRS does take credit card payments for federal income tax, estimated tax, and other tax debts. You cannot pay directly to the IRS with a credit card — instead, you must go through one of three IRS-approved payment processors: Authorize.Net, PayUSAtax, or Official Payments. Each processor charges a convenience fee that ranges from roughly 1.87% to 2.35% of the amount you pay, depending on which processor you choose and the payment method. This fee is added to your payment and is not tax-deductible.
The main reason people use credit cards to pay taxes is to earn rewards points or cash back, which can offset the processing fee if your card offers a high enough return rate. However, you should calculate whether the rewards actually exceed the fee before you commit — a 2% cash back card breaks even with a 2% fee, and anything below that costs you money.
Key Takeaways
- Credit card payments to the IRS go through Authorize.Net, PayUSAtax, or Official Payments, not directly to the IRS, and each charges a convenience fee between 1.87% and 2.35%.
- The processing fee is added to your tax payment and cannot be deducted from your taxes.
- You can pay from your IRS account at IRS.gov, or through the processor's own website if you prefer not to log into the IRS system.
- Credit card payments are processed when ready, but the IRS may take several days to post the payment to your account.
- If you are on a payment plan with the IRS, you can make monthly payments by credit card through the same processors.
Which payment processors the IRS uses and what they charge
The three approved processors each operate their own payment portal. Authorize.Net charges 1.87% for credit and debit cards. PayUSAtax charges 1.96% for credit cards and 1.87% for debit cards. Official Payments charges 2.35% for credit cards and 1.87% for debit cards. The fee is calculated on the total amount you are paying, including any tax owed plus penalties and interest.
You can access any of these processors through IRS.gov by logging into your account and selecting the payment option, or you can go directly to each processor's website. The IRS does not recommend one processor over another. If you are paying a small amount, the difference between 1.87% and 2.35% may be only a few dollars, but on larger payments the choice matters — a $5,000 payment costs $93.50 at Authorize.Net and $117.50 at Official Payments.
How to pay your tax bill by credit card through IRS.gov
Log into your IRS account at IRS.gov using your username and password, or create an account if you do not have one. Once logged in, go to the "Payments" section and select "Make a Payment." The IRS will show you the three processor options and their current fees. Choose the processor you prefer and click through to their payment page.
You will enter your credit card information on the processor's find page, not on IRS.gov itself. After you submit the payment, you will receive a confirmation number from the processor. The charge will appear on your credit card statement within one to two business days, but the IRS may take up to five business days to post the payment to your tax account. If you need to verify that the IRS received your payment, you can check your account balance on IRS.gov after a few days.
Paying directly through a processor's website instead of IRS.gov
You do not have to log into IRS.gov to pay by credit card. Each processor operates its own payment website where you can enter your tax information and make a payment without creating an IRS account. This option is useful if you do not have an IRS.gov login or prefer not to use it.
When you pay through a processor's website directly, you will need your Social Security number or employer identification number, your tax year, and the amount you owe. The processor will calculate the fee and show you the total before you confirm. You will still receive a confirmation number, and the payment will still take several days to appear in your IRS account. The fee is the same whether you pay through IRS.gov or directly through the processor.
Credit card payments on an IRS payment plan
If you have set up an installment agreement with the IRS, you can make your monthly payments by credit card using the same three processors. When you set up the payment plan, the IRS will give you the option to pay by credit card each month, or you can change your payment method later through your IRS account.
The convenience fee still applies to each monthly payment, so if you are paying $500 per month, you will pay an additional $9.35 to $11.75 per month depending on which processor you use. Over a 12-month plan, that adds up to $112 to $141 in fees. Some people choose to pay by bank account (which has no fee) for their regular installment payments and reserve credit card payments for lump-sum payments where they can earn enough rewards to offset the fee.
When credit card payments make financial sense
Paying taxes by credit card only saves you money if your rewards rate exceeds the processing fee. A credit card that offers 2% cash back breaks even with a 2.35% fee, meaning you lose money. You need a card offering at least 2.5% cash back to come out ahead when using Official Payments, or 2% cash back with Authorize.Net.
Some premium credit cards offer 3% or higher cash back on certain categories, but most do not include tax payments in those categories — check your card's terms to be sure. If you do not have a rewards card, or your card offers 1% or less, paying by credit card costs you money compared to paying by bank account or check, which have no fee.
What happens if you cannot pay in full
If you owe more than you can pay right now, you have options beyond putting the full amount on a credit card. You can set up a short-term extension (up to 120 days) at no cost, or you can request an installment agreement where you pay over time. Both of these options can be set up through IRS.gov or by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
If you do use a credit card to pay part of your tax bill, the IRS will explore the payment to your account and you can set up a plan for the remaining balance. Paying some amount by credit card and the rest through a payment plan is a valid strategy, though you should weigh the credit card fee against the interest the IRS will charge on the unpaid balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay state taxes by credit card through the IRS?
No. The IRS payment processors only handle federal tax payments. State tax agencies have their own payment systems, and some states accept credit cards while others do not. You will need to contact your state tax agency or visit its website to find out what payment methods it offers.
What if I pay by credit card and then get a refund?
The IRS will refund the full amount you paid, including the processing fee. The refund will go back to the credit card you used, and it may take two to four weeks to appear on your statement. You cannot request that the fee be refunded separately — the entire payment is refunded as one transaction.
Is it safe to enter my credit card information on these processor websites?
Yes. The three IRS-approved processors use encryption and security standards required by the payment card industry. Your information is not stored on IRS.gov — it is transmitted directly to the processor's find server. You should still verify that you are on the correct processor website before entering your card details.
Can I pay someone else's tax bill by credit card?
You can pay a tax bill for a business you own or a dependent you claim on your return. For other situations, the person who owes the tax must authorize the payment themselves. If you are paying on behalf of a business or estate, you will need the tax identification number and may need to provide documentation of your authority to pay.
What if the processor's website is down when I try to pay?
If you cannot reach the processor's website, you can try again later or use a different processor. You can also pay by bank account, check, or money order if you need to pay before the processor's system is back online. The IRS does not charge a fee for payments made by bank account through Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS).