{"id":353960,"date":"2022-08-19T07:44:42","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T12:44:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/tax\/federal-taxes\/paying-taxes.html"},"modified":"2024-02-22T10:25:13","modified_gmt":"2024-02-22T15:25:13","slug":"paying-taxes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/tax\/federal-taxes\/paying-taxes.html","title":{"rendered":"Paying Taxes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Paying Taxes<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By J.P. Finet, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by J.P. Finet, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

\n

April 15th isn’t just the day you must file your federal income tax returns for the previous year. It’s also the day you are legally required to pay any tax you owe. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

In the past, most Americans completed this task by attaching a check to their return with a paperclip before mailing it to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Times have changed, and roughly 90% of U.S. taxpayers file their returns online. This means the days of paying by check are long gone for most taxpayers, although it’s still an option.<\/p>\r\n

While the IRS is often viewed as an agency that has failed to embrace modern technology, it has made remarkable strides over the past few years to provide taxpayers with various options for paying their taxes. It has also made it easier for taxpayers to set up payment plans<\/a> if they lack the resources to pay their taxes when they are due. <\/p>\r\n

The following sections will explain your options for paying your taxes or setting up an installment agreement with the IRS.<\/p>\r\n

Finding How Much You Owe<\/h2>\r\n

Before assessing your options for paying your tax bill, you must first find how much you owe by preparing your federal income tax return<\/a>. For most taxpayers, this involves completing a Form 1040<\/a>, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. Once you have completed your return, you will know whether you owe taxes and, if so, how much. If you are due a tax refund, you are not required to make any payments.<\/p>\r\n

You generally have four options when preparing a return:<\/p>\r\n