The three ways to send the IRS your estimated tax payment
You can pay estimated taxes online through the IRS website, by mail with a check or money order, or by phone. The online method is fastest and gives you a confirmation number the same day. Mail takes 7 to 10 business days to reach the IRS, and phone payments go through immediately but require you to speak with an agent.
Each method requires the same information: your Social Security number or employer identification number, the tax year the payment covers, and the amount you are sending. The IRS does not care which method you choose — they all post to your account the same way.
Most people use the online method because it is free, instant, and leaves a record you can print. If you prefer not to use the internet or need to pay by check, the mail and phone options work just as well, though they take longer to confirm.
Key Takeaways
- The IRS accepts estimated tax payments online at IRS.gov, by phone at 1-800-829-1040, or by mail with a check or money order to the address listed on Form 1040-ES.
- Online payments post to your account immediately and give you a confirmation number; mailed payments take 7 to 10 business days to process.
- You need your Social Security number or EIN, the tax year the payment covers, and the payment amount before you start.
- The IRS charges no fee for online payments made directly through their website, though some third-party payment processors charge a small fee.
- If you miss a quarterly deadline, you can still send the payment — the IRS will calculate any penalty and interest owed when you file your return.
Paying online through the IRS Direct Pay system
Go to IRS.gov/payments and select "Direct Pay" from the payment options. This is the official IRS system and charges no fee. You will need your Social Security number or EIN, your bank account number and routing number, and the amount you want to send.
The system will ask you to choose the tax year and the type of payment — select "Estimated Tax" and the quarter or year that applies. You can schedule the payment to go out on a specific date up to 120 days in advance, which is useful if you want to time it with a paycheck or invoice payment.
After you submit, the IRS gives you a confirmation number on screen. Write this down or take a screenshot. The payment leaves your bank account within one business day and posts to your IRS account within 24 hours. You can check the status by logging back into Direct Pay with the same Social Security number or EIN.
Paying by check or money order through the mail
Write a check or money order for the amount you owe. On the front, write your Social Security number or EIN, the tax year, and "1040-ES" in the memo line. This tells the IRS which form the payment belongs to.
Mail it to the address shown in the Form 1040-ES instructions for your state. The address changes by state and sometimes by region, so do not use an old form. You can find the current address on the Form 1040-ES PDF on IRS.gov or by calling 1-800-829-1040.
The IRS receives mail at a processing center, not at a local office. Mail sent from most parts of the country takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive and be recorded. Do not mail cash. If you are mailing close to a deadline and worried about timing, use Direct Pay or phone payment instead.
Paying by phone or automated system
Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time). Have your Social Security number or EIN, bank account information, and the payment amount ready. An agent will walk you through the payment and give you a confirmation number.
You can also use the IRS's automated phone payment system by calling the same number and following the prompts to enter your information using your phone keypad. This does not require speaking to anyone, though it takes longer than Direct Pay because you have to enter each piece of information separately.
Phone payments post to your account within 24 hours. The confirmation number is your proof of payment, so write it down before you hang up. If the line is busy, try again later — the IRS does not take appointments for phone payments.
Using a third-party payment processor
Several companies are approved by the IRS to process estimated tax payments on their websites. These include PayUSAtax, ACI Payments, and others listed on IRS.gov. You do not have to use these services — Direct Pay is free and faster — but they exist if you prefer a different interface or want to pay with a credit card.
Third-party processors charge a fee, usually between $2 and $4 per transaction, because they handle the payment on your behalf. The fee is separate from your tax payment and does not go to the IRS. Read the fee schedule before you submit, because the amount varies by processor and payment method.
These services are legitimate and safe, but they add a step and a cost. If you have a business accountant or tax software, they may offer a payment option through one of these processors as part of their service.
What to do if you miss a quarterly deadline
Estimated tax payments are due on April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year. If you miss one of these dates, send the payment anyway. The IRS will not reject it or charge you a fee for sending it late.
When you file your tax return, the IRS will calculate any underpayment penalty and interest on the amount you owed during the period you did not pay. This penalty is usually small — a few dollars for most people — but it exists. Sending the payment late does not erase the penalty, but it stops interest from building up after you send it.
If you realize you will miss a deadline, send what you can as soon as you can. Partial payments count toward your total and reduce the penalty. You do not have to wait until the next quarter to catch up.
Tracking your payment after you send it
If you paid online through Direct Pay, log back into IRS.gov/payments with your Social Security number or EIN to see the status. Payments usually show as received within 24 hours. Keep your confirmation number in case you need to prove you sent the payment.
If you paid by mail, the payment will not show up in your IRS account until it has been processed and recorded, which takes 7 to 10 business days. Do not assume it was lost if it does not appear right away. If more than two weeks have passed and you still do not see it, call 1-800-829-1040 with your confirmation number or the date and amount you mailed.
If you paid by phone, your confirmation number is your proof. The IRS does not send receipts by mail for phone payments, so keep the number and the date you called. If you need to verify the payment later, have this information ready when you call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay estimated taxes with a credit card?
The IRS does not accept credit cards directly through Direct Pay. However, some third-party payment processors allow credit card payments, though they charge a fee of 1.87% to 2.35% of the payment amount. For most people, paying from a bank account through Direct Pay is cheaper and faster.
What if I overpay my estimated taxes?
The overpayment stays in your IRS account and can be applied to next year's estimated taxes or refunded when you file your return. You do not have to do anything — the IRS will handle it automatically. If you want the money back sooner, you can request a refund by calling 1-800-829-1040.
Do I need to make four equal payments, or can they be different amounts?
Estimated tax payments do not have to be equal. You can send different amounts each quarter based on your actual income and tax liability. The IRS only cares that you pay enough throughout the year to avoid an underpayment penalty — how you divide it is up to you.
What happens if the IRS loses my mailed payment?
This is rare, but if you mailed a check and it never appears in your account after three weeks, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with the date, amount, and check number. They can trace it or help you stop payment and resend. Always keep a copy of the front and back of your check for your records.
Can I pay estimated taxes for someone else?
Yes, but the payment must be in the name of the person who owes the tax, using their Social Security number or EIN. You can send the money from your own bank account, but the IRS will record it under their name. Make sure you have their permission and their correct tax identification number before you send it.