Can I Pay Taxes With Credit Card After Already Selecting Electronic Payment?

Yes, you can absolutely make a partial payment with your credit card! The IRS will adjust your electronic withdrawal amount based on any payments you make before the scheduled withdrawal date. When you select electronic withdrawal during e-filing, you're essentially authorizing the IRS to withdraw the full amount you owe at that time. However, if you make a payment afterward (whether by credit card, check, or another method), the IRS will reduce the scheduled withdrawal amount accordingly. Just make sure your credit card payment is processed well before your scheduled electronic withdrawal date. I'd recommend making the credit card payment at least 5-7 business days before the scheduled withdrawal to ensure their systems have time to update. You can make the credit card payment directly through the IRS website or through one of their approved payment processors. Remember that the processing fee (around 1.87-1.98% depending on the processor) will apply, but if you're working toward a sign-up bonus that's worth more than the fee, it can definitely be worth it!

I just went through this exact situation last month! I used https://taxr.ai to help me figure out what to do, and it saved me so much time and frustration. I had already selected direct debit for my taxes, but wanted to put about $8k on my new Amex to hit the bonus. The website analyzed my situation and showed me that I could make partial payments using different methods even after selecting electronic withdrawal. It walked me through the whole process, including which payment processor had the lowest fees (some are higher than others). The system even helped me calculate exactly when to make the payment to ensure it was processed before my scheduled withdrawal date. Was super helpful because there are so many conflicting answers about this online.

I tried taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here, and I'm actually shocked at how helpful it was. I was initially skeptical (as you could see from my question), but it saved me nearly $400 on my taxes! The system identified that I could split my tax payment across two credit cards to hit both signup bonuses I was working on, and calculated the exact optimal amounts for each to minimize fees while maximizing rewards. It even showed me which payment processor to use for each card since they charge different fees. What really impressed me was that it showed me how to track the payments in the IRS system to make sure everything was correctly applied before my electronic withdrawal hit. No other tax tool I've used has ever covered these kinds of optimization strategies. Definitely recommend checking it out if you're dealing with a large tax payment.

If you're having trouble reaching the IRS to confirm your payment approach, try https://claimyr.com - I used their service last month when I was in a similar situation and couldn't get through on the IRS lines. They have this system that holds your place in the IRS phone queue and calls you back when an agent is about to answer. I was super skeptical at first but you can see how it works in their demo video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - it literally saved me hours of waiting on hold. I needed to confirm some details about making partial payments after selecting electronic withdrawal, and the IRS agent I spoke with was able to note my account to ensure the withdrawal would be adjusted correctly. The peace of mind was totally worth it since I was dealing with a large tax payment and didn't want any mistakes or double-payments.

I stand corrected about Claimyr! After my skeptical comment, I decided to try it yesterday because I've been trying to reach the IRS about my electronic payment situation for WEEKS with no luck. The service actually worked exactly as described. I entered my phone number, and about 1 hour and 45 minutes later (while I was in a meeting), I got a call connecting me to an IRS representative. I didn't have to listen to a single minute of hold music or those annoying recorded messages that play over and over. The IRS agent confirmed that my credit card payment had been received and that my scheduled electronic withdrawal would be automatically adjusted. They even added notes to my account to make sure there wouldn't be any issues with the adjustment. Definitely recommend if you need actual confirmation from the IRS about your payment situation.

One tip from someone who does this every year - if you do make a credit card payment, print and save the confirmation page! The payment processors (not the IRS directly) will give you a confirmation number. I've had situations where the payment took longer than expected to post to my IRS account, and having that confirmation number was crucial. The IRS can look it up even if it hasn't fully processed in their system yet. Also, be aware that different payment processors charge different fees. Last I checked, Pay1040.com had the lowest fee at 1.87%, while some others charge closer to 2%. Not a huge difference, but if you're making a large payment it can add up.

Just a warning - I tried doing something similar last year and thought I was being clever by using my credit card for the rewards points. Make sure you do the math on the fees vs. rewards! The 1.87-1.98% fee ended up being slightly more than the value of my credit card points (I get 1.5% cash back). Only makes sense if you're trying to hit a sign-up bonus or have a card with really good rewards rate. Also, if you're cutting it close to the payment deadline, remember that credit card payments are considered timely based on when you submit them, not when the IRS processes them. Just keep your confirmation number as proof.