The IRS has reminded taxpayers that Direct Pay allows individuals and businesses to make federal tax payments directly from bank accounts without registration or processing fees, with transactions of up to USD 10 million.
The Internal Revenue Service has announced, on 10 September 2026, that Direct Pay provides a free alternative for settling federal tax obligations directly through bank accounts. The platform operates on IRS.gov without requiring user registration or charging processing fees.
How Direct Pay works
The system verifies taxpayer identity through basic information from previous tax returns or current business records. Individual filers provide prior-year return details, while business accounts require confirmation of the company name and employer identification number against IRS records.
The payment process allows for same-day transactions or advance scheduling up to 365 days ahead. A confirmation number and optional email receipt follow each submission. Filers can modify or cancel scheduled payments up to two business days before the transaction processes. The system accepts bank routing and account numbers from any US financial institution.
Payment types and limits
Direct Pay handles individual payments including balances due, estimated tax payments, amended return payments, and extension payments. Business users can balance due amounts, make federal tax deposits, and pay other federal tax obligations through the same platform.
Each transaction carries a maximum of USD 10 million. Filers needing to submit larger amounts can arrange same-day wire transfers or enrol in the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) instead.
Direct Pay does not process refund deposits. Individuals who have never filed a return or who have not filed within the past six years should explore alternative payment methods before using this tool.
