How To: Make IRS Payments Online

This guide covers how to make an individual tax payment online through the IRS website. Business tax payments are made through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) and are not covered here

Written by: Rachel Richard's, CPA

Overview

Table of Contents

If you’re well prepared, the entire process should take no more than 5 minutes!

What am I going to need?

☑️ Payment information:

Reason for payment → balance due, estimated tax, amended return, etc
Tax period → the year your payment will be applied to
Tax form → the form or tax type your payment will be applied to

☑️ Personal details reported on a recently filed return:

Filing Status
Legal Name
Tax ID # (SSN or ITIN)
Date of Birth
Address

☑️ Payment details:

Payment amount
Payment date
Bank routing and account numbers
Bank account type (checking or savings)

Step 1: Enter Payment Details

☑️ Navigate to irs.gov/payments and select the type of payment you would like to make.

In this example, we will be making a tax payment from a bank account with direct pay.

☑️ Select “make a payment”, and then enter the following payment application details:

Reason for payment → balance due, estimated tax, amended return, etc
Payment application → the form or tax your payment will be applied to
Tax period → the tax year for which you are making a payment. This is not to be confused with the year you are making the payment.

☑️ Select “continue” and verify your identity by entering the following information:

Tax Year for Verification: all subsequent details entered will be checked against the information the IRS has on file for the tax year you select here.
Filing Status
LegalName
SSN or ITIN
Date of Birth
Country of Residence
Address

☑️ Select “continue” and enter additional payment information: