Yes, you can pay the IRS with a credit card, but a fee will be added to your bill

The IRS accepts credit card payments directly through two payment processors: Worldpay and Official Payments. You can pay federal income tax, estimated tax, or back taxes owed this way. The catch is that the processor charges a convenience fee — typically between 1.87% and 2.35% of the amount you pay, depending on which processor you use and the payment method. That means paying a $5,000 tax bill with a credit card will cost you roughly $94 to $118 extra.

The fee is separate from your tax bill. The IRS does not collect it — the payment processor keeps it. You pay the fee whether or not you have the cash on hand, so the real question is whether the benefit (building credit card rewards, delaying payment, or managing cash flow) outweighs the cost of the fee.

Key Takeaways

  • Credit card payments to the IRS go through Worldpay or Official Payments, and both charge a convenience fee of roughly 1.87% to 2.35% of the amount paid.
  • You can pay income tax, estimated tax, or back taxes by credit card, but the fee applies no matter which type of tax you owe.
  • The fee is not tax-deductible, so paying $5,000 in taxes with a credit card will cost you an extra $94 to $118 that you cannot write off.
  • If you are carrying a credit card balance at a high interest rate, the convenience fee will almost always cost more than the benefit of any rewards you earn.

How to pay the IRS by credit card

Go to IRS.gov and look for the "Pay by Credit or Debit Card" link under the payment options section. You will be directed to choose between Worldpay and Official Payments. Both processors will ask for your Social Security number or employer identification number, the tax year, the amount owed, and your card details. The payment is processed when ready, and you will receive a confirmation number.

You can also call the processors directly. Worldpay's number is on the IRS website, as is Official Payments' number. Calling takes longer than paying online, but some people prefer speaking to someone if they have questions about the fee or their account.

Keep your confirmation number. It is your proof of payment. The IRS can take several days to record the payment in their system, so if you are close to a important date, pay early enough that delays will not cause a late-payment penalty.

When the convenience fee makes sense

The fee is worth paying only in specific situations. If you are earning cash-back rewards on a credit card and your rewards rate is higher than the convenience fee, you come out ahead. For example, if your card gives 2% cash back and the fee is 1.87%, you net 0.13% — though this is a small gain on a large bill. A card offering 3% cash back would give you a 1.13% net gain.

The fee also makes sense if you need to delay payment for cash flow reasons and the card's interest rate is lower than the IRS penalty and interest rate. The IRS charges interest at a rate set quarterly (currently around 8% annually) plus a failure-to-pay penalty of 0.5% per month. If you can pay off the credit card in a month or two at a lower rate, you may save money overall. But this math only works if you actually pay off the card quickly — carrying a balance defeats the purpose.

If you are already carrying a credit card balance at 15%, 18%, or higher, do not use the card to pay taxes. The interest you will pay on the new balance will far exceed any benefit.

Other ways to pay the IRS that have no fee

If you want to avoid the convenience fee entirely, you have several options. Direct debit from your bank account costs nothing and can be set up through IRS.gov or through either payment processor. You provide your routing number and account number, and the IRS withdraws the payment on a date you choose. This is the cheapest option if you have a bank account.

Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) is a free IRS system for making tax payments by phone or online. You enroll once, provide your bank details, and can schedule payments whenever you owe. EFTPS is designed for people who make regular estimated tax payments, but anyone can use it.

You can also mail a check or money order to the IRS, though this takes longer and offers no proof of payment until the IRS processes it. The address depends on your state and is listed on your tax notice or on IRS.gov.

What happens if you cannot pay in full

If you owe taxes but do not have the full amount, paying by credit card does not solve the underlying problem — you still owe the IRS, and now you also owe the credit card company. The IRS offers payment plans called installment agreements that let you pay over time with a setup fee (usually $31 to $225, depending on the plan type) and monthly interest and penalties. These plans have no convenience fee and are often cheaper than using a credit card.

You can request an installment agreement through IRS.gov, by phone, or by mail. The IRS will work with you on a monthly payment amount based on what you can afford. If you cannot pay even a small amount monthly, you may be able to request Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status, which temporarily pauses collection while you deal with financial hardship.

Deducting the convenience fee on your taxes

The convenience fee is not tax-deductible. The IRS treats it as a personal expense, not a business or tax-related deduction. This is one reason the fee stings — you cannot recover any of it on next year's return. If you are self-employed or own a business, the fee on estimated tax payments is also not deductible.

This is different from tax preparation fees or accountant fees, which may be deductible in some situations. The convenience fee is purely a cost of the payment method you chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does paying by credit card change when my tax bill is due?

No. The due date does not change. If your taxes are due April 15, they are due April 15 whether you pay by check, bank transfer, or credit card. Paying by credit card does not extend the important date or reduce penalties if you pay late. The payment must be processed by the due date to count as on-time.

Can I use a debit card instead of a credit card?

Yes. Both Worldpay and Official Payments accept debit cards, and the convenience fee applies the same way. Using a debit card does not save you money on the fee, but it may be useful if you do not have a credit card or want to avoid adding to a credit card balance.

What if I pay by credit card and then get a refund?

The IRS will refund the tax amount you overpaid, but not the convenience fee. The fee goes to the payment processor and is not refundable. If you paid $5,000 in taxes and the IRS determines you owe only $4,500, you will get a $500 refund, but you keep paying the convenience fee on the full $5,000 you submitted.

Can I set up a recurring credit card payment to the IRS?

No. The IRS does not allow recurring credit card payments. You must make each payment separately through Worldpay or Official Payments. If you want recurring payments, use EFTPS or set up a direct debit from your bank account, both of which are free and can be automated.

Is there a limit to how much I can pay by credit card?

The payment processors do not publish a single limit, but most credit cards have their own limits based on your credit line and the card issuer's policies. If you are paying a very large tax bill, contact the processor or your card issuer beforehand to confirm the payment will go through. For amounts over $25,000, some processors may require additional verification.