Send your payment directly to the IRS, not to a tax preparer or third party

The IRS accepts tax payments through several channels: online through their website, by mail to a lockbox address that depends on your state, by phone, or through an approved payment processor. The fastest and safest route is almost always online at IRS.gov, where you can pay when ready and receive confirmation. If you mail a check, you must send it to a specific lockbox address based on where you live — sending it to an IRS office or your local tax office will delay it or lose it entirely.

Never send payment to a tax preparation company, accountant, or financial advisor, even if they prepared your return. They are not authorized to receive IRS payments on your behalf. If someone tells you to send money to them to forward to the IRS, that is a red flag for fraud. The IRS has no agents who call, text, or email you asking for payment — that is always a scam.

Key Takeaways

  • Pay online at IRS.gov using IRS Direct Pay, the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), or a credit or debit card through an approved processor — all are free or low-cost and give you when ready confirmation.
  • If you mail a check, look up your state's lockbox address on IRS.gov; sending it anywhere else delays payment and may result in penalties.
  • You can also pay by phone by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040, though this method is slower than online payment.
  • Never send payment to a tax preparer, accountant, or anyone else claiming to forward it to the IRS — the IRS only accepts payments directly from you.
  • The IRS does not call, text, or email requesting payment; any such contact is a scam.

Paying online through IRS.gov

The IRS offers two free online payment methods on their website. IRS Direct Pay lets you pay directly from your bank account with no fee, and you can schedule the payment for a future date if your return is not yet due. EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System) is also free and works the same way, though it requires you to enroll first — enrollment takes about a week, so this method works better if you know you will owe taxes regularly.

You can also pay by credit card or debit card through an approved payment processor. The IRS does not charge a fee, but the processor does — typically 1.87% to 2.35% of the amount you pay. The processors currently approved are Paypal, Stripe, Worldpay, and ACI Payments. All of these are listed on IRS.gov under "Payment Options," and you can compare their fees before you choose.

When you pay online, you will receive a confirmation number when ready. Write this number down or save the email confirmation — you will need it if the IRS ever questions whether your payment arrived.

Mailing a check to the correct lockbox address

If you mail a check, the address depends on your state and the type of return you filed. The IRS publishes a full list of lockbox addresses on IRS.gov under "Where to File." Search for your state and return type (1040, 1040-SR, 1040-NR, etc.), and you will see the exact mailing address and the address to use if you are sending it by overnight courier.

Write your Social Security number, daytime phone number, and the tax year on the check itself. Include a payment voucher if you are paying with your return, or use Form 1040-V if you are paying after you have filed. Put everything in an envelope and mail it to the lockbox address — do not mail it to an IRS office, a tax office, or any other address you find online.

Mail typically takes 7 to 10 business days to reach a lockbox. If your payment is due soon, mailing is risky; online payment is much faster. If you do mail a check, keep a copy of the envelope and the check for your records, and consider using certified mail so you have proof of delivery.

Paying by phone

You can pay by phone by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. An IRS representative will take your payment information over the phone and process it when ready. This method works if you do not have internet access or prefer to speak to someone, but it is slower than online payment and you cannot schedule a future payment date.

Have your Social Security number, the amount you want to pay, and your bank account information (if paying from your bank) or credit card information ready before you call. The call may take 10 to 15 minutes. You will receive a confirmation number at the end of the call.

Understanding payment important date and penalties

Tax payments are due on the same date your return is due — April 15 for most people, though the IRS sometimes extends this date. The date that matters for penalties is when the IRS receives your payment, not when you send it. If you mail a check and it arrives after April 15, you will owe a late payment penalty even if you mailed it on time.

If you cannot pay the full amount by the important date, you can still file your return on time and pay what you owe later. The IRS charges interest on unpaid taxes from the due date forward, and a failure-to-pay penalty of 0.5% per month on the unpaid balance. If you set up a payment plan (called an installment agreement), the penalty is lower — 0.25% per month instead of 0.5%. You can set up a payment plan online at IRS.gov or by calling 1-800-829-1040.

Recognizing and avoiding payment scams

Scammers impersonate the IRS by phone, email, and text to trick people into sending money. The real IRS will never contact you first by phone, email, or text about a payment you owe. If someone claiming to be from the IRS contacts you, hang up or delete the message. The IRS initiates contact by mail only.

Scammers also pose as tax preparers or accountants and ask clients to send payment to them instead of the IRS. If your tax preparer asks you to send money to them to forward to the IRS, do not do it. Pay the IRS directly using one of the methods described above.

If you receive a suspicious call, email, or text claiming to be from the IRS, report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at tigta.gov or by calling 1-800-366-4484. You can also report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

What to do if you cannot pay by the important date

If you owe taxes but cannot pay by April 15, file your return anyway. Filing on time stops the failure-to-file penalty (which is larger than the failure-to-pay penalty) and gives you time to arrange payment. You can pay what you owe later, set up a payment plan, or request a short delay.

To request a short delay (up to 120 days), call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and ask for a payment extension. To set up a payment plan, you can do this online at IRS.gov under "Payment Plans" or by phone. Short-term plans (120 days or less) are free; long-term plans charge a setup fee of $31 to $225 depending on how you set it up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my taxes through my bank's bill pay system?

No. Your bank's bill pay system is not connected to the IRS and will not deliver your payment correctly. Use IRS Direct Pay, EFTPS, or an approved credit card processor instead. If you want to pay from your bank account, use IRS Direct Pay on IRS.gov — it is free and takes a few minutes.

What if I mail my check to the wrong address?

The IRS will eventually forward it to the correct lockbox, but this delays processing and may result in late payment penalties. If you realize you sent it to the wrong address, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 right away and tell them where you sent it. They may be able to intercept it or adjust the date it is recorded as received.

Do I have to pay the credit card processor fee?

No. You can pay for free using IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS, or by mailing a check. The processor fee only applies if you choose to pay by credit or debit card. If you want to use a card but avoid the fee, use a rewards card with IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS, which deduct from your bank account, not your card.

How do I know my payment was received?

If you pay online, you will get a confirmation number when ready. If you mail a check, keep a copy of the check and the envelope, and use certified mail if possible. You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and give them your confirmation number or the date you mailed it — they can tell you if the payment has been recorded.

Can I pay my spouse's taxes separately from mine?

Yes. Each person files their own return and makes their own payment. If you file jointly, you can pay the full amount in one payment, or each of you can pay your share separately. Make sure your Social Security number is on the check or payment form so the IRS knows whose account to credit.