Federal taxes are due by filing a return and paying whatever you owe by April 15, 2026 for most individual taxpayers, using one of several IRS-approved payment methods. If that date ever lands on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the due date moves to the next business day, though 2026 needs no such shift.
The due date itself
April 15, 2026 is the deadline for both filing your 2025 return and paying any balance owed. These are two separate obligations, and it’s possible to satisfy one without the other: you can file on time but pay late, or request more time to file while still owing payment by April 15. See Tax filing deadline 2026 for the filing side and Tax extension deadline 2026 if you need more time to file.
The ways you can actually pay
The IRS lists several methods for individuals paying a balance due:
- Direct Pay: pay straight from a bank account, with the option to schedule a payment up to a year ahead.
- Debit card, credit card, or digital wallet: accepted, though a processing fee applies and this method isn’t available for payroll taxes.
- IRS Online Account: pay a balance, view payment history, or set up a payment plan from one account.
- EFTPS: the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, which requires enrollment but covers estimated taxes and other payment types too.
- Same-day wire, check or money order by mail, or cash through a retail partner: also accepted, for anyone who’d rather not pay electronically.
What happens if you don’t pay by the deadline
The IRS is direct about this: penalties and interest continue to grow until the full balance is paid. A failure-to-pay penalty of 0.5% of the unpaid tax accrues for each month or partial month it stays unpaid, up to a cap of 25%, on top of interest charged on the outstanding balance. With an approved IRS payment plan in place, the failure-to-pay penalty rate is cut in half, to 0.25% a month, while you’re in the plan.
If you can’t pay it all at once
The IRS offers payment plans, known as installment agreements, that let you pay your balance over time instead of all at once (fees apply to set one up). Applying for a plan doesn’t stop interest from accruing, but it does reduce the failure-to-pay penalty rate while you’re enrolled, which is often worth more than the setup fee if the balance is sizable.
How the due date has landed in past years
| Tax year | Filed in | Payment and filing due date |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2024 | April 15, 2024 |
| 2024 | 2025 | April 15, 2025 |
| 2025 | 2026 | April 15, 2026 |
FAQ
Is the payment deadline the same as the filing deadline? Yes, for most taxpayers. Both your 2025 return and any tax owed on it are due April 15, 2026, even if you later request an extension to file.
What’s the easiest way to pay? The IRS points to electronic payment, through Direct Pay, the IRS Online Account, or EFTPS, as the fastest and most secure option, though checks, money orders, and cash through retail partners remain available.
What if I can’t pay everything I owe by April 15? Pay as much as you can by the deadline to limit interest and penalties, then apply for an IRS payment plan for the rest. The failure-to-pay penalty is cut in half once an approved plan is in place.
Does requesting an extension change when payment is due? No. An extension only moves the filing deadline. Payment is still due by the original April 15 date regardless of whether you’ve filed for an extension.
Never lose track of the date again
Add your tax due date to LapseGuard once, and get reminded with enough lead time to pay, set up a plan, or file for an extension before penalties start. Free, on your device, no account.
Read next: Tax filing deadline 2026 and Estimated tax payment dates 2026