You can pay the IRS with a credit card, but only through a third-party payment processor, and you will pay a convenience fee on top of your tax bill.

The IRS does not accept credit cards directly. Instead, the agency has contracted with three payment processors — Worldpay, Paymetrics, and Official Payments — to handle credit card transactions. Each processor charges a convenience fee that ranges from roughly 1.87% to 2.35% of the amount you pay, depending on which processor you use and whether you pay online or by phone. You choose the processor when you make the payment, and the fee is added to your bill at that moment.

This route makes sense only if you have a specific reason to use a credit card — for example, if you are earning rewards points on a high-spend category, or if you need to spread the payment across multiple billing cycles. For most people paying a tax bill, a bank transfer or check costs nothing and is simpler.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS accepts credit card payments only through Worldpay, Paymetrics, or Official Payments, each charging a convenience fee of 1.87% to 2.35%.
  • You can pay online at each processor's website or by phone, and the fee is calculated and charged at the time of payment.
  • The convenience fee is not tax-deductible and is separate from your actual tax liability.
  • Payment by credit card posts to your IRS account within one business day, but the card issuer may take longer to process the charge.
  • If you cannot afford the full amount, setting up a payment plan through the IRS directly (without a processor) costs far less and avoids the convenience fee entirely.

The Three Payment Processors and Their Fees

Worldpay charges 1.87% for online payments and 1.87% for phone payments. Paymetrics charges 1.99% for online payments and 2.35% for phone payments. Official Payments charges 2.00% for online payments and 2.35% for phone payments. The difference is small but real: on a $5,000 payment, Worldpay costs $93.50, while Official Payments costs $100. On a $10,000 payment, the gap widens to $187 versus $200.

All three processors are legitimate and authorized by the IRS. You can find links to each one on the IRS website under "Pay by Credit or Debit Card." There is no advantage to using one processor over another except the fee structure. If you are paying online, Worldpay is the cheapest option. If you must pay by phone, Worldpay is still the cheapest, but the difference between processors is larger.

The convenience fee is charged by the processor, not by the IRS. It does not reduce your tax liability, and the IRS does not refund it if you later receive a refund. The fee is a cost of using the processor's service.

How to Pay Online Through Each Processor

Visit the processor's website directly — do not go through a third-party tax software or payment site, as those may charge additional fees on top of the processor's fee. You will need your Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number, your tax form type (1040, 1120, 941, etc.), and the tax year you are paying for. Have your credit card ready.

Enter the amount you want to pay. The processor will calculate the convenience fee and show you the total before you confirm. Review this total carefully: it includes both your tax payment and the fee. Confirm the payment, and the processor will give you a confirmation number. Write this down or save the email confirmation.

The payment posts to your IRS account within one business day. Your credit card issuer will process the charge according to their own timeline, which may take several days to appear on your statement. The IRS considers the payment made on the date you submit it to the processor, not the date it appears on your card statement.

Paying by Phone Instead of Online

If you cannot or prefer not to pay online, you can call the processor directly. Worldpay's phone line is 1-844-PAY-1040 (1-844-729-1040). Paymetrics and Official Payments also have phone lines listed on the IRS website. Have the same information ready as you would for an online payment: your SSN or EIN, tax form type, tax year, and credit card details.

Phone payments carry a higher convenience fee than online payments for Paymetrics and Official Payments (2.35% versus 1.99% and 2.00%, respectively). Worldpay charges the same fee for both. If you are paying a large amount, the difference between online and phone can add up to $50 or more.

You will receive a confirmation number by phone. Ask the representative to email or mail you a written confirmation as well, so you have a record beyond what the processor tells you verbally.

When a Credit Card Payment Makes Financial Sense

A credit card payment only saves you money if the rewards or benefits you earn exceed the convenience fee. If your card earns 2% cash back on all purchases, and the processor charges 1.87%, you break even on a $5,000 payment and come out slightly ahead on larger amounts. If your card earns 1% cash back, the processor fee eats into your reward.

Some cards offer bonus categories — for example, 3% or 5% back on government payments or specific merchant categories. If your card covers IRS payments in a bonus category, the math may work in your favor. Check your card's terms to confirm that IRS payments through a third-party processor count as a may have access to purchase.

Another reason to use a credit card is timing. If you need to spread a large tax payment across two billing cycles to stay under your credit limit, or if you want the payment to post in a later month for cash flow reasons, a credit card gives you that flexibility. A bank transfer or check does not.

Alternatives That Cost Less or Nothing

If you can pay the full amount immediately, a bank transfer through IRS Direct Pay costs nothing. You authorize the IRS to debit your checking or savings account on a date you choose. The payment posts within one business day, and there is no fee. This is the cheapest option if you have a bank account.

If you cannot pay in full, the IRS offers payment plans (also called installment agreements) that let you pay over time. A short-term payment plan (120 days or less) costs $31 to set up if you pay by direct debit, or $225 if you pay by check or credit card. A long-term payment plan costs $31 by direct debit or $225 by other methods. These fees are far lower than the convenience fee on a credit card payment, and you avoid paying interest on the full amount upfront.

If you are unable to pay at all right now, you can request a delay through an Offer in Compromise or Currently Not Collectible status. These options do not require a credit card and do not charge a convenience fee, though they come with other conditions and timelines.

What Happens After You Pay

The IRS updates your account within one business day of receiving the payment from the processor. You can check the status of your payment on the IRS website using "Where's My Refund?" or by logging into your IRS online account. The confirmation number from the processor is useful if you need to follow up with the IRS about a payment that does not appear to have posted.

If you paid more than you owed, the IRS will either refund the overpayment or apply it to a future tax year, depending on your instructions at the time of payment. If you paid less than you owed, interest and penalties continue to accrue on the unpaid balance.

Keep your processor confirmation number and receipt for at least three years. If the IRS ever questions whether you made the payment, this documentation proves the date and amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. The processors accept both credit and debit cards, and the convenience fee is the same either way. A debit card payment draws directly from your bank account, so it may be faster than a credit card if you are concerned about timing.

Does the convenience fee count as a tax deduction?

No. The convenience fee is a cost of paying your tax, not a tax-deductible expense. You cannot deduct it on your return.

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

The IRS refunds only the tax amount you overpaid, not the convenience fee. The processor keeps the fee. If you paid $5,000 in tax plus $93.50 in fees and the IRS determines you overpaid by $1,000, you receive a $1,000 refund, not $1,093.50.

Can I use a business credit card to pay business taxes?

Yes. The same three processors handle payments for all tax types — individual income tax, business income tax, payroll taxes, and excise taxes. The convenience fee applies regardless of the card type or tax form.

What if the payment does not post to my IRS account?

Contact the processor using your confirmation number. They can verify whether the payment was received and processed. If the processor confirms they sent it to the IRS, contact the IRS directly with your confirmation number. Do not assume the payment failed if it does not appear within one business day; give it two to three business days before following up.