You can pay most U.S. government taxes and fees by eCheck – a direct ACH debit from your checking or savings account – and it’s almost always free, while cards add a fee. The federal government takes bank payments through IRS Direct Pay, EFTPS, and Pay.gov at no cost. States and agencies use their own portals: California’s Franchise Tax Board, New York’s Tax Department, and USCIS all accept ACH; a few, like the California DMV, add a small eCheck fee.
How do you pay federal taxes by eCheck?
Two free federal tools take a bank-account payment:
- IRS Direct Pay – pay individual taxes straight from your checking or savings account for free. No account or enrollment needed. (irs.gov Direct Pay.)
- EFTPS – the Treasury’s free Electronic Federal Tax Payment System. Enroll once, then schedule payments from your bank account; used for estimated and business taxes. (eftps.gov.)
Both debit your bank account by ACH at no charge. Paying the IRS by debit or credit card instead adds a processing fee.
How do you pay other federal fees?
Most federal agencies collect payments through Pay.gov, the Treasury-run portal. It accepts ACH direct debit from a checking or savings account, usually free. For immigration filing fees, USCIS lets you pay by ACH from a U.S. bank account using Form G-1650, processed through Pay.gov at no extra cost.
Can you pay state taxes by eCheck?
Yes, and most states make the bank-account option free:
- California – the Franchise Tax Board’s Web Pay debits your checking or savings account for free.
- New York – the Tax Department lets you pay directly from your bank account for free (cards carry a fee).
Nearly every state tax department offers a free “pay from bank account” choice. Look for it before you reach for a card. See eCheck vs ACH if the terms confuse you.
What about DMV and local fees?
These vary by state. The California DMV accepts a checking-account eCheck online but adds a 1.95% service fee, so it’s not always free the way federal taxes are. Check your own state’s DMV and county portals for the exact bank-payment option and any fee.
When is it free, and when does it cost?
The rule of thumb: ACH from your bank account is free almost everywhere; cards add a fee. If a portal shows both “bank account / eCheck” and “credit card,” the bank option is the cheaper one nearly every time.
Common problems
- Paying by card by habit. You’ll usually pay a 1.9-3% fee that the eCheck option avoids.
- Wrong account type. Use a U.S. checking or savings account; enter the routing and account numbers carefully.
- Timing. ACH takes a few business days – schedule before the deadline. See how long an eCheck takes.
Paying other bills from your bank too? See how banks handle eChecks, utility companies, and credit card companies.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay taxes with an eCheck?
Yes. The IRS lets you pay federal taxes by eCheck (ACH) for free through Direct Pay for individuals or EFTPS for scheduled and business payments; most states offer a free bank-account option too.
Is paying the government by eCheck free?
Almost always. Federal channels (IRS Direct Pay, EFTPS, Pay.gov) and most state tax portals charge nothing for ACH from a bank account, while cards add a processing fee. A few, like the California DMV, add a small eCheck fee (1.95%).
Does the IRS accept eCheck?
Yes. IRS Direct Pay debits your checking or savings account directly at no cost, and EFTPS does the same for enrolled and business taxpayers.
Can I pay DMV fees with an eCheck?
In many states, yes. The California DMV, for example, accepts a checking-account eCheck online but adds a 1.95% service fee; check your own state's DMV portal.
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