Pay Taxes by Credit or Debit Card

Benefits of Paying via Credit Card or Debit Card:

• It’s convenient - taxpayers can e-file or paper- file early and make a payment by credit or debit card later, to delay out-of-pocket expenses. Payments can be made by phone, Internet or when e-filing.
• It’s safe and secure - standard, commercial card networks are used. The IRS does not receive or store card numbers.
• These electronic tax payment options are available through service providers.
• There is a fee charged by service providers. Fees are based on the amount of the payment and may vary by service provider (see below).
• Payment information will not be disclosed for any reason other than processing the transaction authorized by the taxpayer.
• A confirmation number is provided at the end of the phone or Internet transaction.
• The “United States Treasury Tax Payment” is included on the card statement as further proof of payment. The convenience fee will be included on the statement as a “Tax Payment Convenience Fee” (or similar transaction).
• If enrolled in such a program, taxpayers may earn miles, points, rewards or money back from the credit card issuer.

Credit Card or Debit Card Convenience Fees

• Taxpayers will be informed of the convenience fee amount before the payment is authorized. This fee is in addition to any charges, such as interest, that may be assessed by the credit card issuer. Taxpayers must agree to the terms and conditions of the payment including acceptance of the convenience fee before the transaction is completed.
• The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 authorizes the Treasury to accept these payments for federal taxes but prohibits the IRS from paying a fee or consideration to service providers for processing these transactions.
• In order to give taxpayers this option, IRS has entered into non-monetary contracts and agreements with service providers.
• The service providers act in the capacity of merchants and are necessary intermediaries in transaction processing. The service providers validate card numbers and expiration dates, obtain authorization from the card issuers and issue confirmation numbers to taxpayers at the end of the payment transaction. The service providers forward tax payment information to the IRS for posting to taxpayer accounts.
• The IRS does not receive or charge any fees for card payments. Additionally, the IRS cannot pay or reimburse any convenience fee to taxpayers. The fee is a non-deductible personal expense; however, it is a deductible business expense.

To Make a payment, the integrated e-file and e-pay credit card option is available through a number of tax preparation software products and tax professionals. For additional information about e-filing and paying all at once (including credit cards), taxpayers can refer to tax preparation software or a tax professional.