Tired of scrambling at the last minute to pay your taxes? Or maybe you've received an unexpected notice from the IRS and need to make a payment quickly. Did you know that in many cases, you can make a tax payment to the IRS right over the phone? It's a convenient, secure option that can save you time and hassle.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about making a payment to the IRS by phone, step-by-step. Let's dive in!
The Convenience of Paying Your Taxes by Phone
While the IRS offers numerous ways to pay your taxes, including online methods like IRS Direct Pay and the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), paying by phone offers a unique blend of accessibility and direct interaction (if needed). It's particularly useful if you prefer speaking to someone or need to make a payment when internet access isn't readily available.
There are generally two main avenues for making a phone payment to the IRS:
- Through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) Voice Response System: This is a free, government-run service, but it requires prior enrollment.
- Through an Authorized Third-Party Payment Processor: These services allow you to pay with a debit or credit card, often with a convenience fee.
We'll cover both in detail.
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| How To Make A Payment To The Irs By Phone |
Step 1: Are You Ready to Make That Call? Prepare Before You Dial!
Before you even think about picking up your phone, let's make sure you have all the necessary information at your fingertips. This will make the process much smoother and prevent multiple calls or hangups.
QuickTip: Look for repeated words — they signal importance.
Sub-heading: Gather Your Essential Information
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Your Tax Information:
- Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN). This is crucial for identifying your tax account.
- The exact amount you intend to pay. Double-check this to avoid errors.
- The tax year for which you are making the payment (e.g., 2024, 2025 estimated tax).
- The specific tax form or notice number related to your payment (e.g., Form 1040, a notice number if you're responding to a bill).
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Your Payment Method Details:
- For EFTPS (if enrolled): Your EFTPS Personal Identification Number (PIN) and your bank account's routing number and account number.
- For Third-Party Processors (debit/credit card): Your debit card or credit card number, expiration date, and security code (CVV). Also, have your bank's routing and account numbers if you plan to use a debit card that acts as an ACH payment.
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A Pen and Paper: To jot down confirmation numbers, reference IDs, and any important notes during the call.
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A Quiet Environment: Ensure you can focus and hear the automated prompts or the representative clearly.
Pro Tip: If you're paying an estimated tax payment for the current year, make sure you know which quarter it's for!
Step 2: Choosing Your Phone Payment Method
Now that you're prepared, let's decide which phone payment option is right for you.
Sub-heading: Option A: Using the EFTPS Voice Response System (Enrollment Required)
The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) is a free service offered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. It's a highly secure way to pay all types of federal taxes electronically, and it offers a phone payment option.
Sub-heading: Why EFTPS?
- No Fees: Unlike third-party processors, there are no additional charges for using EFTPS.
- Secure: It's a direct government service, ensuring high levels of security for your financial information.
- Convenient Scheduling: You can schedule payments up to 365 days in advance for individuals and 120 days for businesses.
- 24/7 Access: The voice response system is available around the clock.
Sub-heading: Important Note on EFTPS Enrollment
If you're not already enrolled in EFTPS, you must do so before you can use the phone payment system. Enrollment can take 5-7 business days to complete as your PIN will be mailed to your IRS address of record.
- To Enroll in EFTPS: Visit www.eftps.gov and click on "Enrollment," or call the EFTPS enrollment line at 1-800-555-4477.
Sub-heading: Making a Payment via EFTPS Phone System
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Dial the EFTPS Voice Response System:
- For Businesses: Call 1-800-555-3453.
- For Individuals: Call 1-800-315-4829.
- (Note: These numbers are specifically for making payments. For enrollment or customer service, use 1-800-555-4477.)
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Follow the Automated Prompts:
- You will be asked to enter your Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security Number (SSN).
- You'll then need to enter your EFTPS PIN.
- The system will guide you through entering the payment amount, tax type (e.g., Form 1040, 941, etc.), and the tax period for which the payment applies.
- You'll confirm your bank account information.
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Receive Your Confirmation Number: This is critical. The system will provide an EFT Acknowledgment Number. Write this down immediately and keep it for your records! This is your proof of payment.
Sub-heading: Option B: Paying Through an Authorized Third-Party Payment Processor (Debit/Credit Card)
If you need to make a payment immediately and aren't enrolled in EFTPS, or simply prefer to use a debit or credit card, you can use an IRS-authorized third-party payment processor.
Tip: Rest your eyes, then continue.
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Sub-heading: Key Considerations for Third-Party Processors
- Convenience Fees: These services charge a convenience fee for their service. The IRS does not receive any portion of this fee. Fees vary by processor and payment amount. Always check the fee before confirming your payment.
- Limited Payment Types: While most individual and business tax payments can be made this way, some specific tax types (like employer federal tax deposits) may not be accepted via credit card.
- Immediate Processing: Payments are typically processed quickly.
Sub-heading: Authorized Payment Processors and Their Phone Numbers
The IRS partners with a few authorized processors. Here are the primary ones and their phone numbers for payment:
- ACI Payments, Inc.:
- Payment Line: 1-800-272-9829
- Live Operator/Service: 1-877-754-4420
- Pay1040:
- Payment Line: 1-888-729-1040
- Service: 1-888-658-5465
Sub-heading: Steps to Pay via Third-Party Processor
- Choose a Processor: Select one of the authorized processors listed above.
- Dial the Payment Line: Call the specific payment number for your chosen processor.
- Follow the Prompts:
- The automated system will guide you to enter your SSN or EIN.
- You'll provide the tax year and tax type.
- Enter the exact payment amount.
- Provide your debit or credit card details: card number, expiration date, and security code (CVV).
- You'll be informed of the convenience fee before you finalize the payment.
- Confirm your payment.
- Obtain and Record Your Confirmation Number: Just like with EFTPS, the system will provide a confirmation number. Write this down! This is your official receipt and proof of payment.
Important Note: Your card statement will list your tax payment as "United States Treasury Tax Payment" and the convenience fee as a separate charge, often labeled "Tax Payment Convenience Fee" or similar.
Step 3: Confirmation and Record Keeping
You've made the payment, congratulations! But you're not quite done yet.
Sub-heading: Verify Your Payment
- Confirmation Number: You should have a confirmation number (EFT Acknowledgment Number for EFTPS, or a specific confirmation number from the third-party processor). This is your primary proof of payment.
- Email Confirmation (if opted in): If you opted for email notifications (available with some online payment methods and potentially with some third-party processors), check your inbox for the confirmation email.
- Check Your Bank/Card Statement: Within a few business days, check your bank statement or credit card statement to ensure the payment has been debited and the fee (if applicable) has been charged.
Sub-heading: Maintain Thorough Records
- Keep your confirmation number in a safe place, ideally with your tax records for that year.
- Print or save any email confirmations.
- Note the date and time of your call and the name of any representative you spoke with (if applicable).
- Consider taking a screenshot of any online confirmation page if you followed up online to verify.
Why is this so important? In the rare event of a payment discrepancy or if the IRS sends you a notice despite your payment, this documentation will be invaluable for resolving the issue.
Step 4: What to Do After Your Payment
Once your payment is successfully made and confirmed, you might be wondering about next steps.
Tip: Revisit this page tomorrow to reinforce memory.
Sub-heading: When Does the IRS Receive My Payment?
- EFTPS: Payments scheduled through EFTPS are typically debited from your bank account on the date you specified. Make sure you schedule it at least one day before the due date.
- Third-Party Processors: These payments are often processed quickly, sometimes even on the same day, depending on the processor and your bank.
Sub-heading: What if I Receive a Notice After Paying?
It's not uncommon to receive a notice from the IRS after you've already made a payment. This often happens because the notice was generated before your payment was fully processed and posted to your account.
- Don't panic!
- Verify your payment using your confirmation number and by checking your bank or card statement.
- Check your IRS Online Account (if you have one). This can often show pending payments or your payment history.
- Generally, if you've paid on time and in full, you don't need to respond to such a notice immediately. The IRS advises taxpayers to monitor their online account for payment status. If the payment doesn't appear as processed within a reasonable timeframe (e.g., by July 15th for an April 15th payment), then you can call the number on the notice.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some common questions about paying the IRS by phone, with quick answers:
How to check if my IRS phone payment was successful?
You should have received a confirmation number at the end of your call. Check your bank or credit card statement within a few business days to see if the payment was debited. If you have an IRS Online Account, you can also check your payment history there.
How to avoid fees when paying the IRS by phone?
To avoid fees, enroll in and use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) voice response system. This is a free service provided by the U.S. Treasury.
How to get my EFTPS PIN if I forgot it?
You can reset or request a new EFTPS PIN by calling EFTPS Customer Service at 1-800-555-4477. This process may involve security verification and potentially having a new PIN mailed to you.
Tip: Read at your own pace, not too fast.
How to pay estimated taxes by phone?
You can pay estimated taxes by phone using either the EFTPS voice response system (free, requires enrollment) or an authorized third-party payment processor (incurs a fee). Be sure to specify "estimated tax" and the correct tax year/quarter when prompted.
How to know which IRS phone number to call for payments?
For EFTPS payments, use 1-800-555-3453 (businesses) or 1-800-315-4829 (individuals). For debit/credit card payments, use the numbers provided by authorized processors like ACI Payments, Inc. (1-800-272-9829) or Pay1040 (1-888-729-1040).
How to get a receipt for my phone payment to the IRS?
The confirmation number provided at the end of your phone payment transaction serves as your receipt. If you opted for email notifications (where available), a confirmation email will also be sent.
How to cancel an IRS phone payment?
If you used IRS Direct Pay (which is an online service but sometimes confused with phone payments), you can typically cancel or modify a scheduled payment within 2 business days of the scheduled date. For EFTPS payments, you may be able to modify or cancel a scheduled payment online or by calling EFTPS customer service, often with a deadline of 8 p.m. ET the day before the payment is due. Third-party processor payments are usually final once confirmed.
How to pay an IRS bill or notice by phone?
Yes, you can pay an IRS bill or notice by phone. You'll need the notice number, your SSN/EIN, the amount due, and the tax period the notice relates to. Use either EFTPS or a third-party processor as described in this guide.
How to resolve a missed or delayed IRS phone payment?
If your payment doesn't appear on your IRS Online Account or bank statement after a reasonable time, or if you receive a notice despite paying, first gather your confirmation number and bank records. Then, contact the IRS directly using the number on your notice or the general IRS customer service line (1-800-829-1040).
How to get help if I have trouble making a phone payment to the IRS?
If you're having trouble with the EFTPS system, call EFTPS Customer Service at 1-800-555-4477. If you're using a third-party processor and encounter issues, contact their customer service line directly (e.g., ACI Payments, Inc. service line: 1-877-754-4420). For general tax questions or assistance, you can call the main IRS helpline at 1-800-829-1040.
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