How to Send Payments to the IRS

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) began accepting tax returns on ​January 24, 2022​, for the 2021 tax year. Individuals have until ​April 18, 2022​, to complete their returns and pay any balance due. If you owe taxes, you'll find a variety of ways to submit your payment, so you can choose the one that works best for your situation.

Perhaps the fastest way to pay the balance due on your tax return is using one of the electronic methods. Taxpayers can head to the IRS's Direct Pay system and quickly make a payment with their checking or savings account without incurring any fees. Simply click the blue "Make a Payment" button and follow the prompts. The system is available for use every Monday through Saturday from midnight to 11:45 p.m. ET and every Sunday from 7 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. ET.

If you prefer to make your payment via credit card or a digital wallet, the IRS also makes this possible using several payment processors. From the IRS website, click on either ACI Payments, Inc., Pay1040 or payUSAtax and follow the prompts to complete the transaction. It's important to note that this payment method comes with a fee. Fees are as follows:

• ​ACI Payments, Inc.​: $2.20 by debit card or 1.98 percent by credit card
• ​Pay1040​: $2.50 or 1.87 percent by debit card or 1.87 percent by credit card
• ​payUSAtax​: $2.55 by debit card or 1.96 percent by credit card

Individuals and businesses that have a PayPal or Click to Pay account can log in and pay directly from their account. Additionally, if you use online tax software, such as TurboTax, you'll have the option of paying any balance owed after you complete your return.

​Consider Also:​ E-Filing: How to File Your Taxes Electronically, IRS Free File & More

While many taxpayers choose to use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) site to make their estimated tax payments throughout the year, it can also be used to pay any balance due on your federal tax form. If you don't already have an account, you'll need to enroll first. Afterward, you can head to the homepage and click the red "Make a Payment" button. Follow the prompts to pay your balance using your bank account.

​Consider Also:​ Tax Return Preparation: Tax Services, Tax Help & More

If you'd like to make your tax payment using either a check, money order or cashier's check, you'll need to download, print and fill out form 1040-V. On the check or money order, you'll need to write "United States Treasury" in the "remit payment to" field. Add your Social Security Number and the name of the tax form you're filing in the memo section. If your name, address and phone number aren't pre-printed on the check, you'll also need to add those.

The IRS has many different payment addresses. To find yours, visit the IRS website and click on the state in which you live. Choose the address associated with the form that you're filing. For example, if you live in New Jersey and were filing a 1040, you'd need to use the following address to remit your payment: Internal Revenue Service, P.O. Box 931000, Louisville, KY 40293-1000.

When sending the check in with the voucher, do not attach it with staples or paperclips.

​Consider Also:​ What Happens If You Can't Make Federal Tax Payments?

The IRS partners with a host of retailers to allow for tax payments to be made in person in cash. Dollar General, CVS Pharmacy, Royal Farms and Kwik Trip are all participating retailers. It's important to note that each cash payment comes with a ​$1.50​ fee. Transactions are limited to just ​$500,​ and you can only make ​two $500 transactions​ per day.

Before you head to the retailer to make your payment, you'll first need to visit ACI Payments, Inc. and follow the prompts for the type of tax payment you need to make. You'll then receive an email to confirm your information. Once your information is verified, you'll get another email with the payment code you need to visit the retailer and complete your payment.