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Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)

Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)

Claudette Zolkowski
November 18, 2025
5 min read
EFTPS stands for the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System. It is a free, secure online service provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury that allows individuals, businesses, and other organizations to make federal tax payments electronically. EFTPS, or the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, is a convenient way to pay federal taxes online securely. Learn how to set it up and use it to manage your tax payments efficiently.
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What is EFTPS?

The EFTPS helps taxpayers pay various types of federal taxes, including income, payroll, corporate, excise, and estimated taxes, directly from their bank accounts.  

EFTPS is designed to simplify the tax payment process by offering features such as scheduling payments up to 365 days in advance, tracking payment history, and providing confirmation numbers for each transaction.

Key Takeaways

  • EFTPS, or the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, allows taxpayers to make secure electronic federal tax payments 24/7, enhancing convenience and reliability.
  • Key features of EFTPS include the ability to track payment history, schedule payments up to a year in advance, and receive immediate payment confirmations.
  • EFTPS employs robust security measures, including mandatory multifactor authentication, to protect user data and ensure secure transactions, making it a preferred method for managing federal tax payments.

Key Features of EFTPS

Security is one important feature that the EFTPS offers. Users receive immediate confirmation of their payments, which can provide peace of mind that their federal tax payments have been successfully processed. The system also offers 24/7 access, which means users can make payments anytime, anywhere.

EFTPS can also help enhance financial management by tracking payment history for up to 15 months, helping to reduce the risk of late penalties and allow users to schedule payments in advance of due dates. This flexibility and record-keeping capability can make EFTPS an effective tool for managing federal tax obligations efficiently.

What is EFTPS Used For

EFTPS is a versatile system used for a wide range of federal tax payments. It can cover:

  • Federal income tax for both businesses and individuals
  • Employment and payroll taxes
  • Corporate taxes
  • Excise taxes

This tool can help individuals and businesses meet their federal tax obligations.

The system can be used by many taxpayers, including employers, businesses, payroll providers, and individuals. Whether you’re managing payroll taxes for a large corporation or making estimated tax payments as a small business with just a few employees, the tax payment system EFTPS can provide a reliable and efficient way to help you handle your federal tax responsibilities.

Setting Up an EFTPS Account

Setting up an EFTPS account is a straightforward online enrollment process.  

To enroll, you’ll need to provide essential information, including your Employer Identification Number (EIN), bank account details, and mailing address. Once you complete the registration, the IRS will mail you a Personal Identification Number (PIN) by physical mail, which you will need for your first login.

The first-time login process involves using your EIN or Social Security Number (SSN) along with the PIN mailed to you. This ensures that your online account is securely set up and ready for making federal tax payments electronically, using your taxpayer identification number.

New enrollments for EFTPS can take up to five business days to process.

Screenshot of EFTPS welcome screen from IRS
EFTPS welcome screen, Internal Revenue Service.

How Does EFTPS Work

Using EFTPS involves a simple, step-by-step process designed to make federal tax payments as smooth as possible:

  1. Enroll in the system to get your PIN and login credentials.
  1. Log in using your EIN or SSN.
  1. Select the appropriate tax form or payment type.
  1. Schedule your payment.

After scheduling your payment, you’ll receive confirmation, indicating your transaction has been processed successfully. Payments can be scheduled in advance, providing flexibility and helping you meet due dates. This can help make managing federal tax payments straightforward and hassle-free, including scheduled payments to confirm payments.  

With full-service payroll from SurePayroll® By Paychex, we’ll automatically calculate, file, and deposit payroll taxes for your small business.  

Making Federal Tax Payments with EFTPS

EFTPS allows for various types of federal tax payments, including payroll taxes and other federal taxes, as well as federal tax deposits and federal tax deposit payments. To use EFTPS to make a payment, simply log on to the system, select ‘make a payment,’ and follow the provided instructions to pay federal taxes electronically.

Scheduling Payments

One key advantage of EFTPS is the ability to schedule tax payments up to a year in advance. This allows users to plan payments, as well as modify or cancel them if necessary. To ensure timely processing, payments must be scheduled by 8 p.m. ET the day before the due date.

Users also receive email notifications to track payment status. This flexibility and ease of scheduling can make the EFTPS a convenient tool for managing federal tax payments.

Benefits of Using EFTPS

EFTPS offers several benefits that make it an attractive option for managing federal tax payments. EFTPS offers a secure, electronic method for tax payments, helping reduce the likelihood of errors and associated penalties. This can also help enhance business operations by reducing the need for manual tax payment processes.

The EFTPS system also allows users to track their payment history, which can help improve overall record-keeping and financial management. As a free service, it offers a cost-effective solution for taxpayers looking to manage their obligations efficiently.

A small business owner calculates taxes before submitting payment through EFTPS.
A small business owner calculates taxes before submitting payment through EFTPS.

EFTPS Payment vs. Other IRS Payment Methods

EFTPS is a useful electronic payment option for federal taxes, often offering greater flexibility compared to other methods like IRS Direct Pay:

  • Direct Pay is limited to individuals and handles only income taxes.
  • EFTPS can be used by businesses and individuals for various types of tax payments.
  • EFTPS allows for up to five payments daily. Direct Pay restricts users to only two payments each day.
  • Direct Pay only allows individuals to schedule electronic tax payments up to 30 days in advance. EFTPS allows scheduling up to 365 days in advance.  
  • Direct Pay does not offer payment history. EFTPS users can access up to 15 months of payment history.  

Paying by traditional methods, if allowed, like checks and money orders, requires additional forms, such as Form 1040-V, Payment Voucher for Individuals, and involves more steps, making EFTPS a more efficient option.  

These comparisons highlight the advantages of using EFTPS over other payment methods.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Despite its efficiency, users might encounter common issues when using EFTPS. For instance:

  • Incorrect EIN or SSN errors can be resolved by cross-checking entries against tax documents.
  • Invalid payment date errors can be addressed by consulting the EFTPS calendar for valid dates.
  • Invalid payment amounts require reviewing tax documents.
  • Routing number errors necessitate reviewing bank information.

To address an invalid PIN error, users should:

  • Ensure their PIN is entered correctly.
  • Keep records and confirmations to help resolve issues more efficiently and provide a reference for future transactions.
  • Use the official EFTPS website’s dedicated FAQ section to assist in troubleshooting common problems.

Avoiding Scams and Fraud

Phishing scams are a common threat associated with EFTPS. Users should be wary of emails prompting them to change passwords via a link, as these may lead to phishing sites. The IRS does not initiate contact via email to request personal or financial information from taxpayers.

To verify the authenticity of emails related to EFTPS, individuals are advised to notice and report suspicious messages to phishing@irs.gov.  

Managing Multiple Accounts with EFTPS

EFTPS is useful for tax professionals managing multiple clients. The system allows them to handle payments for various clients without requiring each client to complete an individual enrollment. Using a single login, a tax professional can manage multiple client accounts efficiently.

Summary

EFTPS offers a secure, efficient, and user-friendly system for managing federal tax payments electronically. By offering features such as 24/7 access, immediate payment confirmations, and robust security measures, it can significantly simplify the tax payment process for individuals and businesses.  

Taking advantage of the EFTPS can help lead to fewer errors, better record-keeping, and overall improved financial management.  

How SurePayroll Can Help

If calculating, withholding, filing and depositing payroll taxes for your small business feels overwhelming, SurePayroll® By Paychex can help simplify payroll with easy, automated tools so you can focus on your business.  

This content is for educational purposes only, is not intended to provide specific legal advice, and should not be used as a substitute for the legal advice of a qualified attorney or other professional. The information may not reflect the most current legal developments, may be changed without notice and is not guaranteed to be complete, correct, or up to date

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a penalty for not using EFTPS?

Yes, if the IRS requires you to use the EFTPS, there could be a penalty for not using it. Failure to make timely deposits or proper amounts can result in charges. However, penalties may be waived if neglect was not willful and there is reasonable cause.

Who must pay EFTPS?

Corporations must pay their federal taxes electronically using EFTPS, while individuals and smaller businesses have the option to pay by check, money order, or cash.

What is the difference between EFTPS and IRS Direct Pay?

The primary difference between EFTPS and IRS Direct Pay is that EFTPS requires prior registration and a Personal Identification Number for first-time users, while Direct Pay allows immediate payments without registration, enabling up to two transactions in a 24-hour period.

Why would I be getting a letter from the EFTPS?

You are likely receiving a letter from EFTPS related to your account setup, PIN delivery, or payment confirmations. It is important to review the contents of the letter for relevant instructions or information. New businesses that apply for an EFTPS account will receive a letter that provides essential information for future EFTPS tax payments.

Can I pay state taxes with EFTPS?

No, EFTPS is specifically designed for federal tax payments. It cannot be used to pay state taxes. To pay state taxes, you will need to use your state's specific tax payment system or portal. EFTPS is managed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and is intended solely for federal tax obligations.

What happens if I miss the 8 p.m. ET cut off?

If you miss the 8 p.m. ET cut-off time for scheduling your payment on EFTPS, your payment will be processed on the next business day. It is important to plan and schedule payments before the cut-off to ensure timely processing and avoid any potential late penalties. EFTPS allows payments to be scheduled up to 365 days in advance.

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