It may be quick and easy to pay your federal taxes online, but there are other ways to send money to the IRS. If you missed the April 15 deadline, you can still use many tax payment systems all year long.
To avoid penalties and interest, the IRS says to pay as much as you can as soon as possible. People who use the IRS Free File or guided tax preparation apps may know what an electronic funds withdrawal (EFW) is.
It is built into most tax software, and it lets you pay right from your bank account when you file your return. If you want to pay your federal taxes in a different way, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) says you should use Direct Pay or a credit or debit card to pay online instead of sending a check. There are, however, other ways to pay, like cash and wire transfers that are sent the same day.
Here are the 5 ways you need to know to pay your IRS taxes in 2025
IRS direct pay
When it comes to easy and cheap ways to pay taxes, IRS Direct Pay is one of the best options. You can make a payment from your savings or checking account through the IRS Direct Pay website. It is a free service.
The payment can also be changed or canceled up to two business days before it is due to be processed. People can use the service without registering with the group, but they need to show ID before they can pay.
For the Direct Pay website to make sure you are who you say you are, they will need to see your old tax return with your address, Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status. Remember that taxpayers can use Direct Pay from 7 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. EST on Sundays and from midnight to 11:45 p.m. EST Monday through Saturday.
Debit card
If you want to pay your taxes with a debit card or digital wallet, you must use one of three different payment processors from the IRS. These are payUSAtax, pay1040, or ACI Payments.
After you choose a processor, you can pay by phone or online. With this option, there is a $2 processing fee and some changes. Go to the website and enter your card information, the amount you want to pay, and some other information.
Credit card
If you want to pay your taxes with a credit card, the process is the same as with a debit card. The only difference is that you will be charged a percentage fee instead of a flat fee. This means that your costs will go up as your debt goes up.
The IRS shows what kinds of fees you can expect for each type of payment in its comparison table of payment processor fees. You enter your credit card number, payment amount, and other details on the website of one of the IRS’s three separate payment processors in order to pay with a credit card. The bank will send the money to the IRS.
Electronic funds withdrawal (EFW)
The e-pay feature is usually built right into the e-filing application if you file your federal taxes with IRS Free Submit or another tax preparation software. You will need to enter your banking information in order to make a payment and authorize a direct debit withdrawal.
You could also ask a real person to do your taxes electronically and let you pay them by withdrawing money from an electronic account. If you use EFW to make a payment after the tax deadline, you have to pay your bill the same day you file your taxes. It is not possible to schedule a payment for after the tax deadline for some other time.
Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)
The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System is another way for American taxpayers to pay their taxes online. The IRS says that you will need to register to use it, which could take up to five business days.
This is different from Direct Pay. To finish the enrollment process, go to the IRS EFTPS website and give information about your bank account and who you are. You will then receive a PIN in the mail. Once you get it, you will need to go back online, make a password, and agree to an ACH transfer from your bank account.
With EFTPS, you can make a payment almost at any time—the online and phone payment services are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also see up to 15 months of your payment history and change or schedule future payments. Additionally, customer service representatives are ready to answer any questions you may have about payments.
