Where to Pay Payroll Taxes Online

You can pay federal payroll taxes online through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), which is run by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. EFTPS is free and works for both income tax withholding and self-employment taxes. You enroll once, then schedule payments whenever you owe.

Most employers and self-employed people use EFTPS because it's the official federal system. Some use their bank's bill pay service instead, which also works — your bank routes the payment to the IRS on your behalf. A few use payroll software like QuickBooks or ADP, which can schedule payments automatically.

State payroll taxes work differently by state. Some states let you pay online through their revenue department website. Others require you to use a third-party payment processor. Check your state's tax agency website to find the payment method for your state.

Key Takeaways

  • EFTPS is the free federal system for paying payroll taxes online and works for both employers and self-employed people.
  • You must enroll in EFTPS before you can make a payment, which takes a few minutes and requires your Social Security Number or EIN.
  • Federal payments made through EFTPS must be scheduled at least one business day before the payment is due.
  • State payroll tax payments vary by state — check your state revenue department website to find the correct payment method and important date.
  • Your bank's bill pay service and payroll software are alternatives to EFTPS, but EFTPS is the most direct route to the IRS.

How to Enroll in EFTPS

Go to eftps.gov and click "Enroll Now" on the homepage. You'll need your Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number (EIN), your business name or personal name, your address, and a phone number. The enrollment form takes about five minutes to complete.

After you submit the form, EFTPS will send you a confirmation by mail within two weeks. The letter contains a PIN you'll use to log in for the first time. You cannot make a payment until you receive this PIN and set up your account online.

If you're self-employed and have never had an EIN, you can use your Social Security Number instead. If you're an employer, you need an EIN — you can get one free from the IRS website (irs.gov) in a few minutes if you don't have one yet.

Scheduling a Payment Through EFTPS

Log into your EFTPS account at eftps.gov using your username and PIN. Click "Make a Payment" and select the tax type you're paying — for payroll, this is usually "Form 941" for employers or "Form 1040-ES" for self-employed people. Enter the amount you owe and the date you want the payment to leave your bank account.

EFTPS requires you to schedule payments at least one business day before the due date. If your payment is due on Friday, you must schedule it by Thursday. The money leaves your account on the date you choose, so if you schedule it for Friday, it will be deducted Friday morning.

After you confirm the payment details, EFTPS shows you a confirmation number. Write this down or take a screenshot — you'll need it if you ever need to prove you paid on time. The system will also send you a confirmation email.

Using Your Bank's Bill Pay Instead

If you already use online banking, your bank may let you pay the IRS directly through bill pay. Log into your bank's website, go to bill pay, and add the IRS as a payee. You'll need the IRS address for your region, which your bank's bill pay system will provide or you can find on irs.gov.

Enter the amount and the date you want the payment sent. Your bank will mail or electronically transfer the payment to the IRS. This method works, but it's slower than EFTPS because the IRS has to receive and process a mailed check or electronic transfer.

The downside is that you lose control over exactly when the IRS receives the payment. EFTPS guarantees the IRS receives it on the date you schedule. With bank bill pay, you have to send it several days early to be safe. Check with your bank about how long they say it takes for IRS payments to arrive.

Paying State Payroll Taxes Online

Each state handles payroll tax payments differently. Some states have their own online payment system similar to EFTPS. Others require you to use a third-party processor like PayUSA or Authorize.Net, which charges a small fee per transaction.

The fastest way to find your state's payment method is to search "[your state] payroll tax payment" or go directly to your state's revenue or tax department website. Most state websites have a section for employers or a link labeled "Pay Taxes Online." Some states let you pay through their website for free; others direct you to a processor.

State payment important date are usually the same as federal important date — typically the 15th of the month following the pay period — but some states have different schedules. Check your state's rules before you pay, because missing a state important date can result in penalties even if you paid federal taxes on time.

What Happens After You Pay

Once the IRS receives your payment, it's matched to your account using your Social Security Number or EIN. This matching usually happens within one to three business days. You can check the status of your payment on the IRS website by logging into your account or calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

Keep your EFTPS confirmation number and bank records for at least three years. If there's ever a dispute about whether you paid, these documents prove you did. The IRS also sends you a notice showing all payments received during the year, usually in January.

If you overpay or make a mistake, you can request a refund or credit the overpayment toward your next tax bill. Contact the IRS or your state tax agency to request this — don't try to reverse the payment yourself through EFTPS.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is scheduling a payment too close to the important date. Remember that EFTPS requires at least one business day's notice. If you wait until the day before a payment is due, you might miss the important date. Set a reminder a few days before each payment is due.

Another mistake is entering the wrong tax form type. Make sure you select the correct form for what you're paying — Form 941 for employer payroll taxes, Form 1040-ES for self-employed taxes, or whatever your state requires. Paying the right amount to the wrong form can delay crediting to your account.

Some people also forget to enroll before trying to pay. You cannot make a payment through EFTPS until you receive your PIN in the mail and set up your account. If you're in a rush, use your bank's bill pay as a temporary solution while you wait for your EFTPS PIN to arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay payroll taxes with a credit card online?

No, the IRS does not accept credit cards for payroll tax payments through EFTPS. You must pay from a bank account. Some third-party payment processors will let you pay with a credit card, but they charge a fee of 1 to 2 percent of the payment amount, which makes it expensive.

What if I miss the payment important date?

Contact the IRS when ready at 1-800-829-1040 and make the payment as soon as possible. You will owe a failure-to-pay penalty and interest on the unpaid amount, but the sooner you pay, the less interest accrues. The IRS may also work with you on a payment plan if you cannot pay the full amount at once.

How do I know if my payment went through?

EFTPS gives you a confirmation number when ready after you schedule a payment. The IRS usually receives and posts the payment within one to three business days. You can check the status by logging into your IRS account on irs.gov or calling 1-800-829-1040 with your confirmation number.

Can I schedule multiple payroll tax payments at once?

Yes, you can schedule as many payments as you need through EFTPS. Many employers schedule monthly or quarterly payments in advance. Just remember that each payment must be scheduled at least one business day before it's due, and each payment must be for the correct tax period.

Do I need to enroll in EFTPS separately for each business I own?

Yes, if you have multiple businesses with different EINs, you need a separate EFTPS enrollment for each one. You can use the same login credentials to manage all of them, but each EIN is tracked separately in the system.