Paying Taxes with Credit Card (2024)

Paying taxes with a credit card may seem like an odd choice, but it can have some benefits. Here's why you might want to consider paying your taxes with a credit card:

1. Earn rewards points or cash back: Many credit cards offer rewards points or cash back for every dollar spent. By paying your taxes with a credit card, you can earn rewards for something you have to pay anyway.
2. Convenience: Paying with a credit card is often faster and more convenient than other payment methods. You don't have to worry about writing a check or finding the right amount of cash. Plus, you can pay your taxes from anywhere with an internet connection.
3. Potential interest-free financing: Some credit cards offer an introductory 0% APR for a set period of time. If you can pay off your tax bill before the introductory period ends, you could potentially avoid interest charges altogether.

However, there are some downsides to paying taxes with a credit card. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Fees: The IRS only accepts three processors (payUSAtax, Pay1040, ACI Payments) for online tax payments. The processors charge a processing fee for credit card payments, which can range from 1.85% to 1.98% of the amount you owe.
2. Interest charges: If you can't pay off your tax bill before your credit card's grace period ends, you will start accruing interest charges. Credit card interest rates can be high, so this can end up being a very expensive option.
3. Credit score impact: Using too much of your available credit can negatively impact your credit score. If you're using a large portion of your credit limit to pay your taxes, it could lower your credit score and make it harder to get approved for credit until the balance is paid off and reflected back in your credit score.

If you do decide to pay with a credit card, make sure you can pay off the balance before any interest charges accrue, and factor in any processing fees.

You can find more details on the IRS website and make payments there.