How to Pay Quarterly Estimated Taxes Online (IRS Direct Pay, Online Account, Card)

Updated 2026-10-14 · Not tax advice

Figures used: Steps, limits and fees were checked on IRS.gov on October 14, 2026: Direct Pay help, the card payments page and the 2026 Form 1040-ES.

Free: the one-page Q4 2026 estimated tax worksheet (printable, Excel or Google Sheets) and the quarterly estimated tax calculator.

Most freelancers pay estimated tax online. It is free from a bank account, it takes about five minutes, and the IRS credits you for the date you choose. The steps below follow the IRS’s own Direct Pay help page and the 2026 Form 1040-ES.

Not sure how much to pay? Fill in the free Q4 2026 estimated tax worksheet or the quarterly estimated tax calculator first.

Your options at a glance

Method	Cost	Login	Best for
IRS Direct Pay	Free	None	A quick one-off payment
IRS Online Account	Free	One-time identity check with a photo ID	Seeing every payment you’ve made and scheduling ahead
Debit or credit card	$2.10 to $2.15 debit; 1.75% to 1.85% credit	None	Card rewards, or no bank account
EFTPS	Free	Existing enrollment only	People who enrolled before October 17, 2025
Check and 1040-ES voucher	Postage	None	The IRS asks you to consider electronic options first

Pay with IRS Direct Pay, step by step

1. Open IRS Direct Pay and choose Pay individual tax, then Make a payment.
2. Reason for payment: Estimated Tax. Apply payment to: 1040ES. Tax period: the tax year the payment is for. For the payment due January 15, 2027, that is 2026.
3. Verify identity: pick a prior tax year you filed (usually your most recent return) and enter your name, SSN, date of birth, filing status and address exactly as they appear on that return. If you file jointly, enter the spouse listed first.
4. Payment info: US checking or savings account and routing number, the amount and the payment date. You can schedule up to 365 days ahead.
5. Review and sign, then save the confirmation number. Choose the email confirmation so you don’t lose it; Direct Pay cannot look it up for you later.

Limits from IRS.gov: up to 5 Direct Pay payments in 24 hours, each under $10 million. You can change or cancel a scheduled payment until 2 business days before its date.

Pay through your IRS Online Account

Your Online Account shows every payment from every channel, pending and processed, so it is the easiest way to check what you’ve paid before filing. You need to verify your identity once with a photo ID. Then choose Make a payment, Estimated tax and the tax year. You can make 1 to 5 payments per transaction and up to 4 transactions a day.

Paying by card

The IRS doesn’t take cards directly. Two approved processors do, and each charges a fee (IRS card payments page, checked October 14, 2026):

• Pay1040: debit $2.15, credit 1.75% ($2.50 minimum). PayPal accepted.
• ACI Payments: debit $2.10, credit 1.85% ($2.50 minimum). PayPal and Venmo accepted.

On a $3,000 payment, a 1.75% fee is $52.50. A flat debit fee is usually the cheaper card option. Card fees are deductible for businesses.

What changed with EFTPS

EFTPS.gov stopped taking new enrollments from individuals on October 17, 2025. If you were already enrolled you can keep paying there for now, but the IRS says all individuals must move to Direct Pay or the Online Account later in 2026. If an older guide tells you to enroll in EFTPS and wait for a PIN in the mail, skip it.

After you pay

• Keep the confirmation number with the date and amount. You’ll report your total estimated payments on your 2026 Form 1040 (line 26 on the 2025 form).
• Check it posted: two business days after the payment date, look in your Online Account or bank statement. The IRS credits you for the date you selected even if the bank withdrawal happens a day later.
• Paying for a spouse: on a joint account, pay under the spouse listed first on the return so it’s credited to the joint account.

Timing

The Q4 2026 payment is due Friday, January 15, 2027. You can skip it if you file your 2026 return and pay the full balance by February 1, 2027. See the Q4 2026 payment guide and the 2027 due dates. Want to pay the whole year in one go, or monthly? See whether you can pay all your estimated taxes at once.

FAQ

How do I pay quarterly estimated taxes online?

Go to IRS Direct Pay (irs.gov/directpay) or sign in to your IRS Online Account (irs.gov/account). Pick Estimated Tax, form 1040ES and the tax year, verify your identity, enter your bank details and a payment date, then save the confirmation number.

What tax year do I pick for the January 15, 2027 payment?

2026. The January payment is the fourth installment for tax year 2026. Payments due April 15, June 15 and September 15, 2027 belong to tax year 2027.

Can I pay estimated taxes with a credit card?

Yes, through an IRS-approved processor. On October 14, 2026 IRS.gov listed Pay1040 at 1.75% for credit cards ($2.50 minimum) or $2.15 for debit, and ACI Payments at 1.85% ($2.50 minimum) or $2.10 for debit. The fee goes to the processor, not the IRS.

Can I still use EFTPS?

Only if you enrolled as an individual before October 17, 2025. New individual enrollments are closed, and the IRS says all individuals must move off EFTPS later in 2026. Use Direct Pay or your Online Account instead.

Why won't Direct Pay accept my information?

Direct Pay verifies you against a prior-year return, so you need to have filed at least one federal return. Enter your name and address exactly as on that return. First-time filers can pay through an IRS Online Account or by card.

How do I know the IRS received my estimated payment?

The confirmation number only shows the request was accepted. Check your IRS Online Account two business days after the payment date, or your bank statement. If it still shows Pending, check again a few business days later.