As of September 30, 2025, the IRS stopped issuing paper checks for federal tax payments, including refunds. In tandem with this shift, the IRS also announced that it plans to phase out receiving paper checks for tax payments “as soon as practicable.” While this change is not yet a formal requirement, it signals the direction the government is moving in — and we encourage taxpayers to be prepared.
While taxpayers may make tax payments online by credit card, there is a fee to do so. This article focuses on how to make online payments from your bank account via IRS Direct Pay.
What Is IRS Direct Pay?
IRS Direct Pay is a free, secure service to pay directly from a bank account without having to register for an account. You can pay your tax balance due, estimated payments or part of a payment plan. However, be aware that interest will continue to grow until you pay the balance in full.
Here are step-by-step instructions on how to make a payment via IRS Direct Pay.
Steps for Making a Payment
- Go to the IRS website
- Click on “Direct Pay with bank account”
- Click on “Pay individual tax”
- Click on “Make a payment”
Step 1 — Enter Tax Information
Reason for Payment
- Most popular choices: “Balance Due,” “Estimated Tax”
Apply Payment to
- Most popular choices: “Income Tax - Form 1040,” “1040ES (for 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ)
Tax Period for Payment
- Most popular choices: “2024,” “2025”
Confirm your selection and continue
Step 2 — Verify Identity
Direct Pay needs information from a 1040 tax return that you have already filed for one of the years listed in the drop-down menu.
- “Tax Year for Verification”
- “Filing Status” (If you chose Married - Filed Joint Return, you should use the primary spouse’s information as shown on the tax return.)
- “First Name”
- “Last Name”
- “Confirm Last Name”
- “SSN or “ITIN”
- “Confirm SSN or ITIN”
- “Date of Birth”
- “Country of Residence”
- “Street Address”
- “Apt/Suite/Other”
- “P.O. Box”
- “City”
- “State/US Territory”
- “Zip Code”
Read and check the box to accept the Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act & Continue.
Step 3A — Enter Payment Information
Step 3B — Enter Your Bank Account Information
Step 3C — Enter Your Email Address to Receive Email Confirmation Notifications
Step 3D — Read & Agree to Disclosure Agreement
Step 4 — Review & Sign
Step 5 — Confirmation
Need Help?
You can review the entire executive order, Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account, here. The IRS is expected to issue a formal requirement that tax payments be made electronically. Now is a good time to transition to electronic payments so you are ready when the requirement is put into place.
Contact us here or call 800.899.4623 if you have questions about making electronic payments.
