How to Pay the IRS With a Credit Card
You can pay your federal tax bill by credit card, but the IRS does not accept cards directly—you must use a third-party payment processor, and each one charges a fee.
The IRS has approved three companies to process credit card payments: Worldpay, Paymetrics, and Global Payments. You choose which processor to use, and each charges a different percentage fee on top of your payment. The fee is not tax-deductible, and you pay it in addition to what you owe the IRS. The payment goes through immediately, and the IRS receives confirmation within one business day.
Credit card payments work best if you have a rewards card that earns cash back or points—the rewards might offset the fee. They also work if you need to spread a large bill across multiple cards or if you want to build credit history. If you are paying a small amount or have no rewards card, paying by check, bank transfer, or electronic federal tax payment system (EFTPS) will cost you nothing.
Key Takeaways
- Three IRS-approved processors charge fees ranging from roughly 1.87% to 2.35% of your payment amount, so a $5,000 payment costs between $94 and $118 in fees.
- You can pay estimated taxes, back taxes, or current-year taxes by credit card through any of the three processors.
- The payment posts to your IRS account within one business day, but the processor's fee is your responsibility and does not reduce what you owe.
- You receive a confirmation number immediately after payment, which you should save as proof of payment.
- Paying by credit card does not change your payment deadline or extend the time you have to pay without penalty.
How to find the three approved processors and their current fees
Visit irs.gov and search for "credit card payment." The IRS page lists all three processors with links to their payment portals. Before you pay, check the fee each one charges—they update periodically and may differ slightly. The fee is shown as a percentage of your payment amount, so you can calculate the exact dollar cost before you commit.
Each processor's website walks you through entering your tax information, the amount you want to pay, and your card details. You do not need to create an account with the processor beforehand, though some allow you to save payment methods for future use. The entire process takes about five to ten minutes.
What information you need before you pay
Have your tax return or IRS notice in front of you. You will need your Social Security number or employer identification number (EIN), the tax year you are paying for, and the type of tax (Form 1040 for individual income tax, Form 1120 for corporate, Form 941 for payroll, and so on). If you are paying a balance from a notice, the notice itself lists all this information.
You will also need a valid credit card in your name or a card you are authorized to use. The processor will ask for the cardholder's name, card number, expiration date, and CVV. Some processors accept debit cards as well, though the fee still applies. The payment amount must match what you owe—you cannot overpay or underpay to avoid the fee.
Fees charged by each processor and how they affect your total cost
| Processor | Typical Fee Range | Example: $5,000 Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Worldpay | Around 1.87% | Approximately $94 fee |
| Paymetrics | Around 1.96% | Approximately $98 fee |
| Global Payments | Around 2.35% | Approximately $118 fee |
Fees change without notice, so always check the processor's website for the current rate before you pay. The fee is calculated on your payment amount and charged to your card at the same time as the tax payment itself. You cannot deduct the fee from your tax bill or claim it as a tax deduction on your return.
If you are paying a large amount, the fee compounds quickly. A $20,000 payment at 2% costs $400 in fees alone. In these cases, paying by bank transfer through EFTPS (which is free) or by check (which costs only postage) saves you significantly.
When credit card payment makes sense versus other payment methods
Credit card payment is worth the fee if you earn rewards that exceed the cost. A 2% cash-back card on a $5,000 payment earns $100 in rewards, which covers the $94 to $118 fee and leaves you ahead. It also makes sense if you need to spread the payment across multiple cards to stay under credit limits, or if you want to delay the charge hitting your bank account.
Credit card payment does not make sense if you have no rewards card, if you are paying a small amount (under $1,000), or if you can pay by check or bank transfer. EFTPS is free and takes the same amount of time to post. A check costs only postage. Both are better choices if the fee would eat into money you need for other bills.
If you are on a payment plan with the IRS, you can still pay by credit card, but the fee applies to each payment. Monthly installment payments by credit card become expensive over time—a $500 monthly payment at 2% costs $10 per month, or $120 per year, even if you are on a three-year plan.
What happens after you submit your credit card payment
The processor sends your payment to the IRS within one business day. You receive a confirmation number immediately after you submit payment—write this down or take a screenshot. The confirmation number is your proof that you paid and the date you paid, which matters if the IRS later claims it did not receive your payment.
The charge appears on your credit card statement within one to three business days, depending on your card issuer. The payment reduces your IRS balance immediately in the IRS's system, though you may not see the change on your IRS account online for a few days. If you owe penalties or interest, those continue to accrue until your full balance is paid.
If you are on a payment plan and make a credit card payment, it counts toward your plan balance. If you are not on a plan and pay less than you owe, the IRS will continue to send notices and charge interest and penalties on the remaining balance.
Paying estimated taxes or back taxes by credit card
The same three processors handle estimated tax payments (quarterly payments if you are self-employed or have income not subject to withholding) and back taxes from prior years. You enter the tax year and type of payment when you use the processor's portal, so the IRS knows where to apply the money.
If you are paying estimated taxes, the payment must reach the IRS by the due date to avoid penalties. Credit card payments post within one business day, so paying a day or two before the deadline is safe. If you miss the deadline, the penalty applies even if you pay by credit card—the payment method does not extend the deadline.
Back taxes work the same way. The processor asks which year you are paying for, and the payment goes to that year's balance. If you owe multiple years, you must make separate payments for each year or specify how to split a single payment across years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay the IRS directly with my credit card?
No. The IRS does not accept credit cards directly. You must use one of the three approved third-party processors: Worldpay, Paymetrics, or Global Payments. Each processor charges a fee, which you pay in addition to your tax bill.
What if I pay by credit card but the processor says the payment failed?
Contact the processor immediately—do not assume the payment went through. If your card was declined, the processor will tell you why (insufficient funds, card expired, fraud block). You can try again with the same card or a different one. Check your credit card statement to confirm no charge was made.
Does paying by credit card change when my payment is due?
No. Your payment deadline is the same whether you pay by credit card, check, or bank transfer. Credit card payments post within one business day, so you should pay a day or two before the deadline to be safe. Paying after the deadline incurs penalties and interest, even if you use a credit card.
Can I use someone else's credit card to pay my IRS bill?
Yes, if you have permission from the cardholder. The processor asks for the cardholder's name and the card details. The payment is applied to your tax account based on your Social Security number or EIN, not the cardholder's. The cardholder's name appears on the receipt, but the IRS applies the payment to you.
What if I want to pay a portion of what I owe?
You can pay any amount, but the IRS will continue to charge interest and penalties on the unpaid balance. If you cannot pay in full, consider setting up a payment plan through the IRS instead—it may have lower fees and give you more time. You can still use a credit card to make payments on a plan, but the fee applies to each payment.