TingoTaxOwe the IRS? Get to know Direct Pay before paying
You can pay federal taxes from your bank account without a service fee. These steps help you check the year, date and payment confirmation.
Who can use it
This guide is for individuals who need to pay a federal tax balance or estimated taxes. Direct Pay is a free IRS service that sends payments from a checking or savings account at a U.S. financial institution, without creating a user account. It is not a service for paying state taxes or receiving your refund.
Before you start
Start at IRS.gov and look for Direct Pay. Have a prior tax return available to verify your identity, along with the details of the bank account you will use. If you have never filed a federal return, or it has been more than six years since your last one, review the IRS’s other payment methods. Do not share those documents or bank details in social media comments or messages.
Check the reason and tax year
Select the payment type and the tax year it should apply to. The year used to verify your identity may differ from the year you are paying. Before authorizing, carefully review the amount, account and date. This is an opportunity to catch an incorrect detail before submitting the request.
Important dates and confirmations
You can schedule a payment up to 365 days ahead. To change or cancel it, act at least two business days before the scheduled date. Save the confirmation number: it records your request but does not guarantee that the bank completed the withdrawal. Check your bank or IRS account after two business days.
A current guide, without a new deadline
Published October 9, 2026. This guide explains the service; it does not announce a new deadline or apply exclusively to one tax year. Check the date that applies to your obligation. Follow @tingotax for more straightforward explanations. TingoTax is an independent company with no IRS affiliation.