Federal income tax payments are due on April 15 each year, unless that date falls on a weekend or holiday

The standard important date for filing your federal income tax return and paying any taxes owed is April 15. If April 15 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the important date moves to the following Monday. If a federal holiday falls on April 15 or the Monday after, the important date shifts to the next business day. For 2024, April 15 is a Monday, so that is the important date. For 2025, April 15 is a Monday as well.

You do not have to wait until April 15 to pay. If you owe taxes, you can pay earlier. If you expect a refund, you can file earlier to receive it sooner. The April 15 date is the last day the IRS will accept payment without penalty.

Key Takeaways

  • Federal income tax returns and payments are due April 15 each year, or the next business day if April 15 falls on a weekend or holiday.
  • You can request an automatic extension that gives you until October 15 to file, but this does not extend the important date to pay taxes you owe — only the important date to submit your return.
  • If you pay after April 15 without an extension, you will owe a failure-to-pay penalty and interest on the unpaid amount.
  • The IRS accepts payments by mail, online through IRS.gov, by phone, or through a tax professional, and each method has different processing times.

What happens if you miss the April 15 important date

If you do not pay by April 15 and have not filed for an extension, the IRS charges a failure-to-pay penalty. This penalty is usually 0.5% of the unpaid tax for each month or part of a month the tax remains unpaid, up to 25% total. You also owe interest on the unpaid amount, calculated daily from April 15 until you pay. Interest rates change quarterly and are set by the IRS.

The longer you wait to pay, the more interest and penalties accumulate. If you know you will owe money but cannot pay by April 15, contact the IRS before the important date. You may be able to set up a payment plan that stops or reduces penalties.

How to request an extension to file

You can request a six-month extension that moves your filing important date from April 15 to October 15. This extension is automatic — you do not need permission from the IRS. You request it by filing Form 4868 (process for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) by April 15.

An important distinction: an extension to file is not an extension to pay. If you owe taxes, they are still due on April 15, even if you file Form 4868. If you do not pay by April 15, you will owe penalties and interest on the unpaid amount, even though you have until October 15 to file your return. You can file Form 4868 online through IRS.gov, by mail, or through a tax professional.

Estimated tax payments if you are self-employed or have other income

If you are self-employed, a freelancer, or have income that does not have taxes withheld (such as investment income or rental income), you may need to make estimated tax payments throughout the year instead of waiting until April 15. These are quarterly payments made on a schedule set by the IRS.

Estimated tax payments are due on April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year. If any of these dates falls on a weekend or holiday, the important date moves to the next business day. If you do not make estimated payments when required, you may owe penalties even if you ultimately pay all the tax you owe by April 15 of the following year.

Payment methods and processing times

The IRS accepts payment through several methods, and each has different processing times. Online payment through IRS.gov is the fastest — the IRS receives the payment within one business day. You can pay directly from your bank account or by credit or debit card. Paying by card through a third-party processor may include a fee.

Payment by mail takes longer. You send a check or money order with a payment voucher (Form 1040-V) to the address listed in the tax instructions for your state. Mail typically takes five to seven business days to reach the IRS, and processing takes additional time. Payment by phone through an IRS-approved payment processor is also available and usually processes within one business day. Payment through a tax professional (accountant or tax preparer) uses their system, which varies by provider.

If you are paying by check or money order, write your Social Security number, the tax year, and the payment amount on the check itself. Mail it with Form 1040-V to may support it is credited to the correct account and year.

What to do if you cannot pay the full amount by April 15

If you owe taxes but cannot pay the full amount by April 15, you have options. You can pay what you can by April 15 to reduce the penalties and interest that accrue on the unpaid balance. You can also set up a payment plan with the IRS, which allows you to pay in installments over time.

The IRS offers short-term payment plans (120 days or less) with no setup fee, and long-term installment agreements (more than 120 days) with a setup fee that varies based on how you set up the plan. If you set up a plan online, the fee is lower than if you set it up by phone or mail. Even with a payment plan, you will owe interest and possibly penalties on the unpaid amount, but a plan prevents additional penalties from accumulating for failure to pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my federal taxes with a credit card?

Yes, you can pay federal income taxes by credit or debit card through IRS.gov or an IRS-approved payment processor. The processor charges a fee (usually 1.87% to 2.35% of the payment amount), which you pay in addition to your tax bill. This fee is not tax-deductible.

What if April 15 falls on a weekend?

If April 15 falls on a Saturday, the important date moves to Monday, April 17. If it falls on a Sunday, the important date moves to Monday, April 16. If the Monday is a federal holiday, the important date moves to Tuesday. Check the IRS website each year to confirm the exact important date.

Do I have to file a return if I do not owe taxes?

You are not required to file if your income is below the filing threshold for your age and filing status. However, if taxes were withheld from your paychecks, you should file to receive a refund. Filing is free through IRS Free File if you may have access to based on income.

What if I filed my return but forgot to pay?

Contact the IRS when ready. You can pay online, by phone, or by mail. The sooner you pay, the less interest and penalties will accumulate. If you set up a payment plan before the IRS contacts you, you may avoid additional penalties.

Can I deduct credit card fees from my taxes?

No. Credit card processing fees paid to make a tax payment are not deductible. The fee is a cost of paying, not a tax expense. Keep your payment receipt for your records.