How To Pay Taxes: 7 Ways To Pay Federal Taxes

If you owe taxes after filing your individual income tax return, the IRS offers several payment options to help you take care of your federal income tax balance in a way that works for you. Whether you’re paying a small balance or tackling larger tax debt, here are seven ways to make a tax payment and what to know before you choose one.

1. Directly from your bank account

This option is perfect if you’re looking for a simple, no-fee online payment option. The IRS Direct Pay system lets you transfer funds straight from your bank account (checking or savings account) to pay your income tax bill.

Here’s a breakdown of the perks of paying with Direct Pay:

Free (your account just needs to be FDIC insured)

No sign-in required

Option to schedule payments in advance

Confirmation after submitting

Check out irs.gov for answers to Direct Pay FAQs.

If preferred, you can also pay through your IRS online account or use your bank’s bill pay to set up a direct debit. If you go this route, just make sure you include all necessary info, like your Social Security number, identification number, tax year, and the correct tax forms (usually Form 1040), so your payment is applied correctly.

2. Electronic funds withdrawal when you e-file

If you e-file your return using a tax preparer or tax software like TaxAct®, you can typically pay at the same time. This method, called electronic funds withdrawal, also allows the IRS to withdraw your payment directly from your bank account.

You can:

Choose the exact payment date.

Set it up when filing your income tax return.

Double-check your bank info before submitting your return to avoid potential processing delays.

You can even use electronic funds withdrawal for estimated tax payments, if needed.

3. Check or money order

Mailing a money order or check is still a valid way to pay your tax bill for those who prefer not to pay online.

When mailing a check or money order:

Make it payable to U.S. Treasury (do not put “IRS”).

Do not send cash.

Include your:

Name, address, and phone number

Social Security number or taxpayer identification number

Tax year the payment is for

Form number (like Form 1040)

Mail your payment to the address listed in the tax form instructions. If you received a notice from the IRS, mail it to the address listed in the notice.

If you have already filed and only need to pay your balance due, consult this IRS page for the proper mailing address based on your location.

The IRS generally considers your mailed payment on time if it’s postmarked by the due date (typically April 15).

Tax tip: Consider using a secure mailbox or taking your payment directly to the post office, as sending payments through unsecured mail can be risky.

4. Debit card, credit card, or digital wallet

You can pay your federal income tax online or by phone using a debit card, credit card, or digital wallet through IRS-approved processors like Pay1040® or ACI Payments, Inc.®

Accepted methods may include:

Visa, Mastercard, and other major credit cards or debit cards

Mobile digital wallet options (like PayPal®)

Important things to know:

The IRS doesn’t charge a fee, but processors usually do. Here’s a breakdown of fees by processor.

Credit card fees are typically a percentage of your payment.

Debit card payments often have a flat fee.

Just keep in mind that if you use a credit card and don’t pay off your balance right away, interest charges can add up quickly.

5. Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)

The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) has been a long-time option for making federal tax payments for both personal and business taxes. It’s a free service run by the U.S. Treasury that lets you schedule payments online or by phone.

However, there have been some recent important changes for individual taxpayers:

After Oct. 17, 2025, individuals can no longer create new EFTPS enrollments.

If you’re already enrolled, you can still use EFTPS for now, but you won’t be able to update your account information (including bank info).

The IRS is encouraging individuals to switch to using their IRS Online Account or Direct Pay.

EFTPS will remain available for business tax payments, so this change does not apply to most business accounts; it only applies to individual filers.

6. Same-day wire

If preferred, your bank may be able to send a same-day wire for your tax payment.

This option:

7. Cash

Never send cash to the IRS through the mail! If you don’t have a bank account or just prefer to use cash, the IRS gives you an option to make a cash tax payment in person. You can do this at participating retail locations through an IRS-approved service provider that partners with VanillaDirect Pay® to offer a pay-by-cash option.

Here’s how it works:

Choose a payment processor: ACI Payments, Inc. or Pay1040.com (both charge a fee).

Enter your payment details (like the tax form, tax year, your identification number, and payment amount). When selecting a payment method, select “Pay With Cash.” You will then be prompted to enter your email address.

Check your email. You will receive a validation email from the payment processor with a link to your payment barcode and instructions.

Take that code (you can print it or save it to your smartphone) to a participating retail location and pay in cash. Keep the receipt for your records.

Keep in mind that there may be limits on how much you can pay in cash at once or within 24 hours. Don’t put off making your cash payment once you have the barcode, as it may have an expiration date.

Tax tip: Some IRS offices may also accept cash tax payments. Contact your local IRS office to determine whether this is an available option for you.

FAQs

The IRS offers several payment options to help you pay your tax bill, as detailed above, including: Direct Pay from your bank account, mailed check, debit/credit card, digital wallet payments, electronic funds withdrawal when you e-file, and more. The best option depends on your situation and preference.

Can I pay the IRS directly from my bank account?

Yes, the IRS allows you to pay directly from your bank account using Direct Pay (a free IRS online payment tool), electronic funds withdrawal when you e-file, or through your IRS online account. These options use a secure direct debit from your checking or savings account, making them some of the most convenient and fastest ways to pay your income tax.

Can I pay taxes with cash?

You should never mail cash tax payments to the IRS, but there are other ways to pay with cash if needed. The IRS allows cash payments through participating retail partners, or you can sometimes pay in cash at select IRS offices (you may need to make an appointment). You can also choose to mail a money order or a cashier’s check.

What if I can’t pay my full tax bill?

If you cannot pay in full right away, you may qualify for extra time to pay. First, pay as much as you can to reduce interest charges and late payment penalties. Next, consider setting up an IRS payment plan (you can choose either a short-term or a long-term plan). Setting up one of these installment agreements can make your tax balance more manageable if you need extra time to pay.

Should I wait to file if I can’t pay?

No, even if you can’t pay your entire tax bill, you should never put off filing past the tax deadline. Filing late can trigger a failure-to-file penalty in addition to failure-to-pay penalties and interest. It’s better to file on time (or request an extension of time to file) and make a partial payment to limit fees and interest.

Keep in mind that if you apply for an extension to file, you still need to make your extension payment by the April due date. A tax extension doesn’t give you more time to pay, just more time to file, so it’s important to pay what you can when filing and set up a payment plan for the rest of your balance if needed.

The bottom line

It doesn’t matter which payment method you use — bank account, credit card, payment plan, etc. — the key is to pay what you owe before the tax deadline. If you’re unsure which option to use, TaxAct can help you handle everything directly when you file with us, including setting up an IRS payment plan.

This article is for informational purposes only and not legal or financial advice.

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