Key takeaways
- Paying taxes with a credit card is expensive. Processing fees range from 1.75% to 2.95%.
- Using a credit card only makes sense if you’ll earn more rewards than you pay in fees. It is also very important that you pay the balance in full before interest applies.
- IRS payment plans are often the better choice. They allow you to spread payments over time with lower interest rates and fewer fees.
Tax day is lurking around the corner. If you don’t have a lot of cash on hand, paying your federal taxes with a credit card can be tempting. You get some much-needed breathing room until the bill is due and may even earn rewards. Why not score a few extra points?
The answer is the processing fees and interest charges. While you can earn rewards and buy more time, the convenience fee and interest will likely outweigh any benefits.
Is paying your federal taxes with a credit card ever a good idea? It certainly can be. Let’s find out how you can do it and come out ahead.
Can I pay my taxes with a credit card?
Yes, you can pay your taxes with a credit card. But should you? Unlike checks or automatic bank transfers, you’ll incur a convenience fee to pay taxes with a credit card. More likely than not, the fee will cost you more than you’ll earn in rewards. Plus, if you carry a balance, you’ll incur interest charges.
For these reasons, it’s not usually recommended. Some taxpayers find it worthwhile to earn rewards or welcome bonuses. Others appreciate the extra time it provides to pay federal taxes, especially if they need to spread the cost over several months.
How to pay taxes with a credit card
To pay the IRS with a credit card, you’ll need to use a third-party payment processor. The IRS works with both Pay1040 and ACI Payments, Inc. Each processor charges a fee. The fees run from 1.75% to 1.85% of your payment, with a minimum fee of $2.50. They charge more for corporate cards and a little less for debit cards.
To pay taxes online, visit the IRS website and select the “Make a Payment” option under the payment processor you choose. You’ll need to provide your tax information, the amount you owe, and your card details. Once you submit your payment, you’ll receive a confirmation for your records.
You can also pay by calling the payment processors directly.
If you file your taxes through online software services like TurboTax or H&R Block, you can pay with plastic. The problem is that it’s typically more expensive than paying the IRS directly. Fees can go up to 2.95%.
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Reasons to pay your taxes with a credit card
There are several scenarios in which paying your taxes with a credit card is a good idea. These strategies only make sense if you pay your balance in full every month and don’t overspend.
Earn more rewards
You can pay taxes with a rewards credit card for points, miles, or cash-back. You earn more on a large payment you have to make anyway. Most cash-back credit cards offer 1.5% or 2% back on all purchases. Do some math beforehand to ensure you’ll come out on top.
Let’s look at an example. You owe $3,000 in taxes and use Pay1040, which has a 1.75% processing fee. Your card must earn at least 2% back in rewards to offset the cost. In this case, the fee is $52.50, and you earn $60 in cash-back. You come out slightly ahead, but only by $7.50.
Buy extra time to pay
Paying your taxes with credit gives you some breathing room if you can’t afford the full amount by the IRS deadline. Rather than facing IRS penalties and interest for late payments, you can pay your tax bill on time. Then, pay off your card’s balance later. Pay off the outstanding balance during the grace period; you’ll get extra time and won’t pay any interest.
Even better, get a card with an introductory 0% APR period. You will not be charged any interest during the promotional period. Promotional periods usually last anywhere from 12 to 18 months, but it can be more or less. Having an interest-free period lets you break your tax bill into more manageable monthly payments. You get extra time to pay your bill without it costing you more.
Make sure you pay off your balance in full before the intro period ends. Otherwise, you’ll be subject to a regular APR. Regular APRs these days are high.
Hit the spending threshold for a welcome bonus
If you’ve recently opened a new credit card with a sign-up bonus, paying your taxes could help you meet the spending requirement quickly. Many rewards cards offer welcome bonuses like $500 cash-back or 100,000 travel points if you spend a certain amount within the first three months.
High-value welcome bonuses have high spending thresholds. You may not be able to hit the threshold with routine spending. Paying your taxes can make the bonus attainable.
For example, let’s say your welcome bonus is 80,000 points, worth 1.5 cents apiece when redeemed or $1,200 in value. To receive the bonus, you must spend $4,000 in the first three months. Spending $4,000 in 90 days is not within your regular spending habits, but you happen to owe $4,000 in taxes. The processing fee is $70, with a 1.75% surcharge. The value of the bonus way outstrips the convenience fee.
What to know before you pay taxes with credit
While paying taxes with a credit card can offer rewards and extra time to pay, it’s not without risks. If you’re not careful, your tax bill can become more expensive, and your credit score can take a hit.
Additional payment processing fees
The biggest drawback is the processing fee. Fees range from 2.95% if you use tax preparation software. None of this money goes to the IRS.
The processing fees can appear small at first, but they add up fast. You can easily owe an extra $18.50 on a $1,000 tax bill. If your card doesn’t earn you more in rewards, it’s simply not worth it.
Higher credit utilization rates
Charging your taxes will also increase your credit utilization ratio. Credit utilization is how much you’ve spent compared to your credit limit. It is a prominent factor in determining your score – second only to paying on time. A spike in utilization or bringing your rate well above 30% will hurt your score.
For instance, if you have a $10,000 credit limit and charge a $4,000 tax payment, your utilization will jump to 40%. Experts recommend keeping your utilization below 30%. Consumers with the highest scores keep it under 10%.
Interest can be costly
Interest charges can quickly offset any rewards or benefits you earn.
The average credit card interest rate for February 2025 is 24.20% APR. If you carry a credit card balance of $3,000 at a 24.20% APR and only make minimum payments, it could take you 15 years to pay off the debt. You would pay about $5,000 in interest, putting your bill at $8,000 in total. And that’s if you don’t charge anything else to the card.
Credit card interest costs are far more than any rewards or convenience you’d gain from using your card to pay taxes.
Besides the hefty price tag, carrying a balance increases your utilization and hurts your score.
Tips for using your credit card to pay taxes
Paying your taxes with plastic requires careful planning. Here are some smart strategies to help you maximize this payment option.
Calculate payments: Before you charge your tax bill, work out a plan to pay off the balance. Paying off the balance before you accrue interest is key.
Be sure to earn more in rewards: Take the time to make sure your rewards will neutralize the fees, and you’ll come out on top. Paying with credit can quickly cost you more. You’ll lose money if your card only earns 1.5% cash back and the convenience fee is 1.75%.
Refrain from making new purchases: Taxes can be expensive. Don’t add extra purchases to an already high balance. It will increase your utilization and make it harder to pay on time.
Use multiple cards: The IRS allows you to make two credit card payments on taxes each year. Dividing your bill across two cards is one way to maintain a low utilization ratio and avoid maxing out a single card.
Don’t exceed your limit: Check your card’s limit before making a payment. If your tax bill is near or exceeds your limit, consider using multiple cards or paying part of the bill with a bank account. Spending beyond your limit is never a good idea. Your provider may decline the transaction or charge you a fee. It can also hurt your credit score.
Never pay interest: Always pay your balance in full by the due date to avoid interest charges. If you have a card with an introductory 0% APR, ensure you pay your balance in full before the offer expires. Paying interest can quickly erase any rewards or benefits you may have earned.
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Credit cards aren’t your only payment option for extra time
Credit cards let you put off paying your taxes, but so do IRS payment plans. The IRS offers both short and long-term payment plans and installment agreements. They allow you to spread your payments over several months or years, often at a lower interest rate.
A short-term payment plan lets you pay your taxes over 180 days. There’s no setup fee, but you’ll accrue interest and penalties until the balance is paid in full. An IRS long-term payment plan (installment agreement) runs up to 72 months (6 years), depending on the amount owed and your financial situation.
The interest rate on an IRS payment plan is determined quarterly. Currently, it stands at 8% per year, compounded daily. The failure-to-pay penalty is 0.5% of the unpaid balance per month. It’s reduced to 0.25% on an installment agreement. Setup fees range from $31 to $130.
All in all, most taxpayers would save money on an IRS payment plan rather than paying with a credit card and carrying a balance. That is unless you can secure a 0% APR offer.
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Frequently asked questions
1. What is the fee for paying taxes with a credit card?
Credit card processing fees range from 1.75% to 1.85% of your payment amount. There’s typically a minimum fee of around $2.50 for smaller payments.
2. Can you pay state taxes with a credit card?
Most states allow you to pay state taxes with a credit card. Fees and payment platforms vary by state, so check your state’s tax website for specific details.
3. How much interest does the IRS charge for a payment plan?
The IRS payment plan interest rates generally hover around 8%. Rates are subject to change quarterly. Late payment penalties may also apply, increasing your overall repayment costs.
4. Is it better to pay the IRS with a credit card or payment plan?
It is generally better to take an IRS payment plan. They are often cheaper and give you more time to pay. The exception is if you can secure a credit card with a 0% APR promotional period and a 2% or higher reward rate. Pay the balance in full before the promotional period ends, and you will save money. If you have to pay credit card interest, an IRS payment plan is the better option.
5. What happens if you go over your credit limit but pay it off?
If you make a transaction that exceeds your limit, it will likely be declined, and you will incur a fee. On top of that, going over your limit will damage your credit score, as it indicates an excessively high credit utilization rate.
Bottom line
The best credit card to pay taxes is one where you’ll earn more in rewards or a welcome bonus than you’ll pay in processing fees. You must also be able to pay your balance in full before interest accrues. For most people, this card will come with a 0% intro APR period. In this scenario, you get extra time to pay your taxes and can even earn lucrative bonuses.
While paying taxes with a credit card can be advantageous, it’s usually not the best financial move. The processing fees can be expensive, and if you don’t pay your balance in full by the due date, high interest rates can quickly turn your IRS tax payment into a costly debt. The average credit card interest rate is currently over 20%, which will cause your bill to grow rapidly. You’ll lose any rewards you earned.
If you need extra time to pay your taxes and want to avoid processing fees and high interest rates, consider an IRS payment plan. It is a more affordable way to spread out tax payments.
Don’t pull out the plastic until you do the math and consider your options. There are plenty of ways to pay your taxes and spread out the bill.