How to pay US taxes online: Complete guide (2025)

American citizens can pay US taxes online in a simple way in 2025. You can use IRS Direct Pay (free), a debit or credit card (small fees), your IRS Online Account, or a payment plan that lets you pay slowly. Each choice has its own cost, speed, and best use, so you can pick what feels easiest for you.

IRS Direct Pay works best for anyone with a US bank account. It is free and usually shows as paid the same day. Paying with a card is fast, but credit cards charge about 1.75–1.85% and debit cards cost about two dollars. Your IRS Online Account is also free and lets you see your past payments. The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) still works for people who already have it, but it stopped taking new individual users on October 17, 2025.

This guide by Taxes for Expats shows how to pay the IRS online, understand the fees, and see how long each method takes. It also explains what a US expat abroad should know when making a US tax payment online, using clear steps and simple language so nothing feels confusing.

What are the IRS online payment options in 2025?

The IRS online payment options in 2025 are simple and easy to use. Direct Pay lets you move money straight from your bank account for free. You can also pay with a debit card or credit card through IRS-approved partners, use your IRS Online Account to track and pay, or set up a payment plan if you need more time. These options for paying IRS bills are meant to be clear and fast, even for beginners.

• IRS Direct Pay – a free way to send money from your checking or savings bank account.
• Debit or credit card – pay through partners like Pay1040 or ACI Payments; each has its own small processing fee.
• IRS Online Account – sign in, see what you owe, and make payments in one place.
• Payment plans – get extra time with a short-term plan or a longer installment agreement.
• EFTPS – an older system for online payments; new individual sign-ups closed in October 2025, but existing users can still use it.

This is a quick IRS payment methods comparison so you can see how each choice works side by side:

A same-day wire transfer is also possible through your bank, but it is not needed for most people. Each method has a different fee or processing fee, but all of them are simple enough for anyone to use.

How to pay taxes online using IRS Direct Pay

A long day ends, and a US worker living in London finally sits down to finish her taxes. She sees she owes money, feels her stomach drop, and wants it done fast – no calls, no forms, no stress. With Direct Pay, she taps a few buttons and clears her balance before her tea even cools.

Here, you would find how to pay taxes online from a US bank account using Direct Pay. Once this flow clicks, it becomes much easier to pay US taxes online without dealing with paper checks or card fees.

What Is IRS Direct Pay?

IRS Direct Pay is a free online tool that lets you send money from your checking or savings account straight to the IRS. You do not need an account or login, and you get a clear confirmation right on the screen. You can also choose a payment date up to 365 days in the future.

The rules behind paying your taxes come from the tax law in section 6151, and the IRS collects those payments under section 6302 and the rules that go with it. In simple terms, Direct Pay is one official way to follow those rules without any extra steps.

Key features:

• No registration or login required – you use basic ID details only
• Free – zero processing fees added to your tax payment
• Instant payment confirmation on screen, with an option for email
• Change or cancel up to 2 business days before the payment date
• Works with checking or savings accounts in the US
• Payment limit is $10 million for a single Direct Pay transaction
• You can make up to 2 Direct Pay payments per day as an individual

Direct Pay supports many IRS forms, including Form 1040, Form 1040-ES, and others listed in the IRS payment menu.

Step-by-step: How to make payments with Direct Pay

Paying your tax bill does not need to feel scary or confusing. Direct Pay works in a straight line – one screen after another – so you always know what to do next.

Step 1: Open directpay.irs.gov or go to “Bank account (Direct Pay)” on IRS.gov and select “Make a payment”; the tool is open every day with only a short shutdown at night.

Step 2: Type in your Social Security number or ITIN, filing status, and address exactly the same way they appear on your last tax return so the IRS can match your information.

Step 3: Pick your payment reason and form, such as Form 1040 for your main tax bill, Form 1040-ES for estimated payments, or an extension payment shown in the dropdown list.

Step 4: Enter the amount you want to pay and choose the date; you can pay today or pick a future date up to 365 days ahead.

Step 5: Add your bank’s 9-digit routing number, your account number, and choose checking or savings, then double-check the numbers to avoid mistakes.

Step 6: Review every detail on the summary screen, including the tax year, the form, the amount, and the payment date, because you can only change or cancel the payment up to 2 business days before it goes through.

Step 7: Submit the payment and save the confirmation number so you can look it up or show proof later if needed.

This whole flow is simple once you see it, and many people use it the same way every year when they need to pay the IRS directly for their tax bill.

Direct Pay is best for

Some people want to pay once and forget about it. Others need a system that handles lots of payments all year. This is why Direct Pay, in some scenarios, is great for taxpayers like James but not for Martha.

Ideal for:

• Individual taxpayers with one quick payment to make
• Anyone who wants no added processing fees
• People who make only a few payments each year
• US expats who still use US bank accounts
• Last-minute payments close to the deadline
• People who want a simple tool to pay taxes USA without making a full IRS login

Not ideal for:

• Regular business payments that happen every month
• Anyone who does not have a US bank account and needs another way to pay federal taxes online

Paying IRS taxes with a debit or credit card

An IRS credit card or debit card payment works like any other card purchase – but you are paying the processor, not the government – federal law even bars the IRS from covering card fees itself, so 100% of the fee goes to the payment company. Many people also pay federal taxes credit card style because it is fast, simple, and cleared by approved processors.

Credit card payment options and fees

The IRS lets you use a card through approved companies. These companies charge small fees for their service, and the IRS does not get any of those fees. A credit card fee is a small percentage of your payment, and a debit card fee is usually just a couple of dollars. Everything is shown to you before you hit “pay.”

NOTE! The fee always appears on the screen before you agree to pay. Pick the company with the lowest fee for your amount. These providers follow IRS rules and send your money safely to the Treasury.

These explain why IRS credit card fees vary and why many people compare Pay1040 and ACI Payments IRS before choosing.

How to pay the IRS with a credit card

Paying taxes can feel heavy, but the card process is simple and moves step by step, so nothing feels confusing. This makes how to pay the IRS with a credit card feel smooth and calm, even for first-timers.

1. Pick a processor (Pay1040 or ACI Payments) by clicking through IRS.gov/payments.
2. Choose your form (1040, 1040-ES, etc.), enter the amount, and pick your tax year.
3. Enter your SSN or EIN, plus your name and address exactly as shown on your return.
4. Add your card number, expiry date, and code, then check the fee shown on screen.
5. Send the payment, save the confirmation, and watch for your email receipt. Posting takes 1–2 days.

This is the same for phone, laptop, or IRS2Go when you pay the IRS online with a credit card.

When to use card payments

Using a card can be helpful when you want points that are worth more than the fee, or when you need a little extra time before the charge is due. It can also help people living abroad who do not have a US bank account but want quick proof that the payment went through.

Card payments are weaker for big amounts because the fee grows fast – for example, about $175–$185 on a $10,000 tax bill. Free bank transfers like Direct Pay cost nothing, and they are safer for someone who is already carrying card debt, since interest can build on top of IRS charges.

These points make it clear when to pay federal taxes credit card and when paying IRS credit card is not the best idea.

IRS online account for payment management

Whether you’re far from home or not, and need to send money to the IRS fast, an IRS online account makes it easy to manage IRS payments online from anywhere, even if you’re sitting on your couch or in a café.

What is an IRS online account?

An IRS online account is a secure web page that the IRS gives you so you can see your tax balance, check past payments, make simple bank payments, set up or change payment plans, and pull your own tax transcripts and other records in one place.

For IRS payments online, this account works like a control panel that lets you start most bank-based payments and payment plans directly on the IRS site instead of mailing checks.

In plain words, the account lets you:

• View your current balance by tax year and see several years of payment history
• Make same-day or scheduled bank payments from inside the portal
• Set up, view, and change payment plans (installment agreements)
• View, print, or download tax transcripts and other key tax records
• Check the status of your refund or amended return
• View and approve authorization requests from tax professionals or lenders
• Update email and notice preferences, and request an Identity Protection PIN

Because this page shows IRS online account payments, balances, and transcripts, the IRS must follow strict privacy rules under IRC section 6103, which tells the agency not to share your tax data unless the law allows it.

How to set up an IRS online account

IRS online account setup is basically a short sign-up form plus an ID check that the system runs in the background.

Step 1: Visit the irs.gov/payments/online-account-for-individuals and click “Sign in to your online account,” then choose the option to create a new account.

Step 2: Complete identity verification through ID.me by uploading a photo of your government ID and either taking a selfie or using a live video call with an ID.me agent.

Step 3: After sign-in, go to the Payments tab and enter your bank account information the first time you pay so the system can process IRS web payments straight from your account.

Step 4: Open your Profile or Settings area to choose paperless notices, email alerts, and other payment-related notification preferences.

NOTE! The IRS uses strong ID checks here because the law says your tax information must stay private unless a rule allows disclosure, so the system asks for several pieces of personal data before it shows your account.

Typical identity verification requirements for these tools include:

• Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
• Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number
• Filing status and address from your most recent tax return
• Email address and mobile phone number to receive security codes
• Financial account information (such as a credit card or loan) or selfie / live video verification through ID.me

Most people finish the online checks in one session; when the system cannot verify you right away and needs mailed codes or extra review, approval can take several days before full access is granted.

Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)

The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System is a free service from the US Treasury that lets people and businesses pay federal taxes online from a bank account. It can send payments, schedule future dates, and show past activity. It still works well for large or repeated payments.

Today, the IRS guides most individuals toward Direct Pay and Online Account, which are simpler and do not require long enrollment steps.

EFTPS status update

NOTE! Important change: As of 17 October 2025, EFTPS stopped accepting new enrollments from individual taxpayers. People who already have accounts can keep using them. New personal payments must be made through IRS Direct Pay or the IRS Online Account. This comes directly from the official notice on EFTPS.gov.

The IRS wants to make online payments simpler. Direct Pay and the Online Account let people pay from a bank account without waiting for a PIN in the mail, so they work faster and feel easier. EFTPS still works for businesses, federal agencies, and individuals who enrolled before the cutoff date.

This is a short list of who can still use EFTPS:

• Business taxpayers – including sole proprietors, partnerships, and corporations. These groups must often use electronic funds transfer for payroll and excise deposits under rules in 26 CFR 31.6302.
• Federal agencies – follow the EFTPS guide for government payments.
• Existing individual EFTPS users – people enrolled before 17 October 2025 can keep paying through their current account.

The IRS made this shift to reduce extra steps. EFTPS enrollment could take 2–4 days and requires a mailed PIN, while Direct Pay works right away.

EFTPS alternatives for new individual users

The best EFTPS alternative is IRS Direct Pay. It is free, works 24/7, and does not need setup. You send payments straight from a checking or savings account.

An IRS Online Account adds more tools, like seeing your balance, checking payment history, and using built-in Direct Pay features. It removes most of the EFTPS vs direct pay confusion because both work as simple bank transfers.

If you want steady monthly payments, you can set up an installment agreement with auto-debit. For businesses that send payroll and excise deposits often, EFTPS is still the best choice because it is built for frequent transfers.

IRS payment plans for taxpayers who can't pay in full

You open your tax notice, and the amount feels bigger than what your bank account can handle right now. This is where an IRS payment plan helps by turning one big bill into smaller, steady payments you can manage month by month.

Under the law (section 6159), this plan is called an IRS installment agreement, and it works like a simple contract with clear rules. Many people now choose to pay IRS installment payments online, since it’s faster and easier than mailing checks.

Types of IRS payment plans

The IRS keeps things simple. There are only two main plans, and each one fits a different kind of budget. The short option is fast and has no setup fee, while the long option gives more time and more structure.

How to set up an IRS payment plan online

Here’s how to set up an IRS payment plan in the simplest way possible. The IRS payment plan online application works best when all your returns are filed, and you don’t already have another plan open.

Step 1 – Check your balance.

Look at your IRS online account, your notice, or your tax software to see how much you owe. Make sure all required returns, including this year’s, are filed, and that you don’t have another plan running.

Step 2 – Go to IRS.gov/paymentplan.

Click “Apply for a Payment Plan” and start the online tool.

Step 3 – Choose your plan type.

Pick short-term if you can pay in 180 days. Pick long-term if you need monthly payments. Balances under $50,000 usually get instant approval. Larger debts (up to $250,000) may still work, but may need IRS review when liens exist.

Step 4 – Enter payment details.

Choose your monthly amount (must meet the IRS minimum), enter your bank details for auto-debit, and pick a payment date between the 1st and 28th.

Step 5 – Review your terms.

You’ll see the fee, the payment date, and how interest and penalties continue until the balance is paid.

Step 6 – Submit and save proof.

Submit the form and get an on-screen decision. Save your confirmation number and the email with your agreement terms.

Payment plan works best for

A plan works well when use IRS payment plan guidance points match your situation. It fits people who owe more than they can pay right now and need more than six months to clear the balance. It also helps anyone who wants to avoid liens or levies, has already filed their return but can’t pay the IRS in full, and prefers one steady monthly draft instead of worrying about missing deadlines.

IRS payment deadlines and penalties (2025)

When a tax bill is not paid on time, the IRS adds extra charges. These charges grow every month until the tax is paid. An extension with Form 4868 lets you file later, but it never moves the April 15 payment date. Interest begins on that day and keeps going until the balance is fully paid.

2025 tax payment deadlines

• Form 1040 (individual return): Filing and payment due April 15, 2025. The extension gives time to file until October 15, 2025, but the tax must still be paid by April 15.
• Estimated tax payment dates 2025 (Form 1040-ES):
      Q1: April 15, 2025
      Q2: June 16, 2025
      Q3: September 15, 2025
      Q4: January 15, 2026
• US citizens abroad: Automatic 2-month filing extension to June 16, 2025, with an additional extension that moves filing to December 15, 2025, but tax is still due on April 15.
• Weekend rule: If a due date lands on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next workday.

Worried you’ll miss an IRS deadline? See all 2025 payment dates in one calendar

Learn more

Current penalty and interest rates (2025)

Many taxpayers fall into the same simple pattern – they file fine but pay late, which leads to steady monthly charges that keep growing until the tax is paid.

To see how these charges work in real life, imagine a taxpayer who owes $10,000 and pays 3 months late. The failure to pay penalty would be $150, and interest at a 7% yearly rate would be about $175, for a total extra cost of roughly $325. The exact number may change slightly because interest compounds every day, and the IRS rate can shift each quarter.

These rules come directly from sections 6651, 6601, and 6621 of the IRC, and they explain why paying even a few months late can grow the balance fast.

Special considerations for US expats paying taxes online

Paying from overseas can feel confusing because IRS systems were built for people living in the US. Many tools still work abroad, but some steps take extra thought. These points help anyone handling US expat taxes or trying to pay US taxes while living far away.

Paying US taxes online from abroad? Learn the safest expat-friendly options

Read more

Common payment challenges for expats

These expat payment problems often make it harder to pay US taxes from abroad.

• No US bank account for Direct Pay – Direct Pay only works with a US checking or savings account and a US routing number. A foreign bank with only a SWIFT code cannot be used.
• Card payments blocked – IRS allows debit or credit cards, even from foreign banks, but billing-address checks or fraud rules may stop the payment until the bank approves it.
• International wire cost and steps – A wire needs the Same-Day Taxpayer Payment Worksheet, a 5-digit tax type code, and must be sent in US dollars. Banks may charge fees on both sides.
• US deadlines still apply – April 15 is the main due date. The extensions do not remove interest under IRC section 6601. Fedwire tax payments must reach the system by 5 p.m. Eastern on the due date.
• Currency exchange issues – IRS must receive US dollars, so banks convert the money first. Exchange rates and fees can reduce the final amount received. Many people add a small cushion.

Payment solutions for expats

Here are simple ways to pay IA taxes abroad or make a smooth expat tax payment.

• If you keep a US bank account:
  Use Direct Pay or the IRS online account. Both are free, give instant confirmation, and count the payment as on time for the date you pick. Mailing a check from abroad still works, but it is slow and hard to track.
• If you do not have a US bank account:
  Card payments work if the card network is accepted and the bank approves the charge. Updating the billing address or confirming the charge in the banking app often helps.

  IRS online payment plans can break a balance into smaller parts, but interest and penalties apply under IRC sections 6601 and 6651. Many people also use expat services to guide payments.

• International wire transfer – for large amounts:
  A wire transfer IRS payment uses the foreign electronic payments system. The bank enters the taxpayer ID, tax year, and 5-digit tax type code on the Same-Day Taxpayer Payment Worksheet. The wire goes in US dollars to routing number 091036164, listed as “US TREAS SINGLE TX”.

  Wires may cost more because both banks can charge fees. Fedwire tax wires must reach the system by 5 p.m. Eastern. Always keep all wire confirmations.

Pro tip. Keeping a simple US checking account with a small balance often avoids wire fees and makes future payments easier.

Why trust Taxes for Expats with your online IRS payments

In 2025, US taxpayers can pay online by bank transfer, card, IRS online account, or payment plan.

Our guides walk you through:

• Streamlined compliance procedures – help expats catch up on late filings and payments without heavy penalties.
• FBAR filing requirements – shows how foreign accounts can affect overall tax reporting and payment planning.
• Foreign Earned Income Exclusion – helps lower taxable income, which reduces final payment amounts.
• Foreign Tax Credit – helps prevent double taxation, so you do not overpay the IRS.

US expats face real challenges when foreign banks, IRS systems, and time zones all meet, and Taxes for Expats has supported thousands of Americans abroad for 25+ years. Let us guide your filing and payments with confidence.

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