Making Your Federal & State Income Tax Payments (updated January 2026)
Paying federal and Michigan income taxes is pretty straightforward and are now required to be paid online. Below is the current list of ways to pay, plus a few tips to avoid mistakes and fees.
Federal Tax Payments (Form 1040):
- Pay from your bank account (no fee)
- IRS Direct Pay: Pay from checking or savings. You can also make estimated payments.
- IRS Online Account: Pay same day or schedule up to 365 days out. You can also view up to 5 years of payment history.
- Pay by debit, credit card, or digital wallet (fees apply): The IRS uses approved payment processors. Fees vary by processor and payment type.
- IRS2Go mobile app: Use the official IRS app to check refund status and make payments from your phone.
- EFTPS (note for individuals): EFTPS still exists, but EFTPS indicates that new individual taxpayers must use IRS Direct Pay or IRS Online Account starting October 17, 2025 (with a broader change noted for 2026). If you already use EFTPS, expect a transition period.
- Payment plans (installment agreements): If you cannot pay in full, you can apply online for an IRS payment plan.
- Mailing a check with printed vouchers is no longer an option
- In accordance with Executive Order 14247, Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account, signed on March 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, in coordination with the Internal Revenue Service and other federal agencies, is advancing the transition to fully electronic federal payments. This policy shift includes phase out of paper tax refund checks beginning Sept. 30, 2025, to the extent permitted by law.
- The purposes of EO 14247 are to defend against financial fraud and improper payments, increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the security of federal payments. Paper checks are over 16 times more likely to be lost, stolen, altered, or delayed than electronic payments. Direct deposit also avoids the possibility that a refund check could be returned to the IRS as undeliverable.
Michigan state tax payments (Form MI-1040):
- Pay online through Michigan Treasury – Michigan Treasury eServices supports:
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- Bank account transfer (EFT): free
- Debit card: flat fee
- Credit card: percentage convenience fee
- Mail a check with a voucher
- Our recommendation is to follow the IRS guidelines and make your payments online.
- If you prefer to mail a payment, you can still do so HERE by printing vouchers but we highly recommend you pay them online.
Quick tips to avoid headaches
- Save the confirmation number or receipt for any online payment. The confirmation should show the date paid, amount paid, payment type (balance due vs estimated vs extension) and the tax year the payment was applied to.
- Double-check you picked the right payment reason (balance due vs estimated vs extension).
- Watch for scams. Start from the IRS or Michigan Treasury payments pages, not from emailed links.
Note: Payment options and fees change. Always check the official IRS and Michigan Treasury payment pages before submitting a payment.
