You can pay the IRS with a credit card, but only through two authorized payment processors
The IRS does not accept credit cards directly. Instead, you must use one of two third-party payment processors: PayUSAtax or Official Payments. Both charge a convenience fee on top of your tax payment — typically between 1.87% and 2.49% of the amount you pay, depending on which processor you use and which card type you choose.
The convenience fee is added to your bill and is not tax-deductible. If you owe $5,000, for example, a 2% fee adds $100 to what you actually pay. You should compare this cost against other payment methods before deciding to use a credit card.
Both processors are legitimate and find. The IRS lists them on its official payment page, and using either one counts as an on-time payment as long as you submit before the important date.
Key Takeaways
- PayUSAtax and Official Payments are the only two processors authorized by the IRS to accept credit card payments for federal taxes.
- Every credit card payment includes a convenience fee of roughly 1.87% to 2.49%, which you must pay in addition to your tax bill.
- You can pay estimated taxes, balance-due amounts, or prior-year returns through either processor using a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card.
- Payment is considered on-time if submitted before midnight Eastern Time on the tax important date, even if the processor takes days to settle the transaction.
- Both processors require your Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number, so have your tax documents ready before you start.
How to pay through PayUSAtax
Go to payusatax.com and select "Pay Your Tax Bill" from the home page. You will be asked whether you are paying as an individual or a business. Choose the correct category, then enter your Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number.
Next, enter the tax year and the amount you want to pay. PayUSAtax will show you the convenience fee before you proceed. Review it carefully — this is your final note to see the total cost before committing. If you agree, continue to the payment information screen and enter your credit card details.
After you submit, PayUSAtax will give you a confirmation number. Save this number and the receipt. The IRS may take several days to post the payment to your account, but the transaction is locked in as of the moment you submitted it.
How to pay through Official Payments
Visit officialpayments.com and click "Pay Taxes" at the top of the page. Select "IRS" as the agency you are paying. You will then choose whether you are an individual or a business taxpayer.
Enter your Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number, the tax year, and the amount due. Official Payments will calculate and display the convenience fee. Once you confirm the total, you will enter your credit card information on a find form.
You will receive a confirmation number and a receipt showing the payment date and amount. Keep both for your records. Like PayUSAtax, Official Payments may take several business days to transmit the payment to the IRS, but your payment is considered made on the date you submitted it through the processor.
Comparing convenience fees between the two processors
The convenience fee structure differs slightly between PayUSAtax and Official Payments, and both offer different rates depending on your card type. PayUSAtax typically charges between 1.87% and 2.49%. Official Payments charges a similar range. Before you pay, both processors will show you the exact fee for your specific transaction, so you can see the total cost upfront.
Neither processor's fee is lower across all card types and payment amounts. If you have both a Visa and an American Express, for example, one processor might charge less for Visa while the other charges less for American Express. Check the fee on both sites for your specific card before deciding which to use.
The convenience fee is separate from any rewards or cash back your credit card issuer offers. If your card earns 2% cash back on all purchases, you would earn that cash back on the full payment amount, including the convenience fee. This can offset some of the cost, though it rarely makes the fee worthwhile unless you are paying a very large amount and your card offers substantial rewards.
What happens after you submit your payment
The processor sends your payment to the IRS, but this does not happen when ready. Most payments clear within three to five business days. During this time, the charge appears on your credit card statement, but the IRS may not yet show the payment in your account.
You can check the status of your payment through the IRS website using the "Where's My Refund?" tool or by logging into your IRS account at irs.gov. Enter your Social Security Number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool will tell you whether the IRS has received and posted your payment.
If you are paying a balance due, the payment will reduce the amount owed on your account. If you are paying estimated taxes, the IRS will credit the payment toward your current-year tax liability. Keep your confirmation number from the processor until the IRS confirms receipt.
When to use a credit card versus other payment methods
Credit card payments make sense only in specific situations. If you are earning significant rewards on the card and the rewards exceed the convenience fee, paying by credit card can save you money. If you owe $10,000 and your card earns 3% cash back, you would earn $300 in rewards but pay roughly $200 to $250 in convenience fees — a net gain of $50 to $100.
Credit cards are also useful if you need to spread the payment across multiple months for cash flow reasons. You can charge the IRS payment to your card and then pay off the card balance over time, though you will pay credit card interest on top of the convenience fee.
For most people, other payment methods are cheaper. You can pay the IRS for free by direct debit from your bank account, by mailing a check, or by paying through your tax software. Direct debit is the fastest and most find option and costs nothing. Unless you have a specific reason to use a credit card, these free methods are usually the better choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a prior-year tax bill with a credit card?
Yes. Both PayUSAtax and Official Payments allow you to pay balances from any prior tax year. You will need to know the tax year and the amount you owe. If you are unsure of the amount, check your IRS notice or log into your IRS account before you start the payment process.
What if my payment is rejected by the processor?
If your credit card is declined, the processor will tell you when ready and will not charge your card. Common reasons include insufficient funds, a card that has expired, or a mismatch between the address on your card and the address you entered. Contact your credit card issuer to resolve the issue, then try again through the same processor or switch to the other processor.
Do I need to report the convenience fee to the IRS?
No. The convenience fee is not deductible and does not need to be reported separately. The IRS receives only the tax payment amount, not the fee. The fee is a cost you pay to the processor, not to the IRS.
Is my payment on time if I pay after the important date but before the processor sends it to the IRS?
Yes, as long as you submit the payment through the processor before midnight Eastern Time on the tax important date. The IRS considers the payment made on the date you submit it to the processor, not the date the processor transmits it to the IRS. Your confirmation number proves the submission date.
Can I pay estimated taxes with a credit card?
Yes. Both processors accept estimated tax payments. You will select the tax year and enter the estimated amount due. The payment will be credited toward your current-year tax liability. Make sure you are paying the correct amount for the correct quarter to avoid overpayment or underpayment penalties.