Quick overview

EFTPS is the U.S. Treasury’s free system for paying federal taxes electronically—income, estimated, payroll and other federal tax types. It provides payment scheduling, confirmation numbers, and a searchable payment history (see the IRS EFTPS page for details: https://www.eftps.gov and https://www.irs.gov/payments/eftps). In my work helping small-business owners, enrolling in EFTPS reliably reduced missed-deadline risk and simplified quarterly and payroll tax routines.

Steps to enroll and activate

  1. Gather information: Social Security Number (SSN) for individuals or Employer Identification Number (EIN) for businesses, your business or personal banking routing and account numbers, and your legal name and address exactly as the IRS has them.
  2. Enroll online at https://www.eftps.gov (choose Individual or Business) and complete the enrollment form. You can also find enrollment details on the IRS EFTPS pages (https://www.irs.gov/e-pay/eftps-the-electronic-federal-tax-payment-system).
  3. Wait for your PIN: EFTPS sends a personal identification number (PIN) and instructions to your mailing address. Expect the PIN by mail—allow about one week; timelines can vary.
  4. Activate the account: After you get the PIN, sign in at eftps.gov, enter your PIN and banking information, then set a secure password and establish any authorized users for business accounts.

How to schedule and make payments

  • Choose the tax form/type and payment date. EFTPS supports current and future-dated payments so you can schedule quarterly or estimated tax payments in advance.
  • Save the confirmation number after every payment—this is your proof of payment.
  • For payroll tax deposits and employer-specific schedules, follow your employer deposit schedule and reconcile payments with payroll records. See our article on payroll tax deposit requirements for more details: payroll tax deposit requirements.
  • If you pay estimated taxes, pairing EFTPS with your quarterly planning helps avoid underpayment penalties—learn more in our guide to estimated tax payments.

Security and cost

EFTPS is free to use. The site and phone services require identity verification; only authorized users with the correct credentials and PIN can schedule payments. Always keep your login credentials private and store confirmation numbers securely. For official security and service descriptions, refer to the IRS EFTPS pages: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/electronic-federal-tax-payment-system-eftps

Common problems and fixes

  • PIN not received: Confirm the IRS has your correct mailing address; if it’s been more than two weeks, contact EFTPS support via the eftps.gov contact options.
  • Wrong bank account entered: You may need to correct or cancel a scheduled payment and resubmit; keep confirmation numbers and bank statements to support any disputes.
  • Multiple users for businesses: Assign users carefully. In my experience, designating one primary payer and separate preparer accounts reduces errors and ensures accountability.

Practical tips

  • Enroll at least 7–10 days before a payment due date to allow for PIN mail and activation.
  • Schedule payments at least a few business days before deadlines to allow for processing delays and to avoid last‑minute mistakes.
  • Keep a dedicated folder for tax payment confirmations and reconcile each EFTPS confirmation against bank records.

When to contact help

If you encounter unresolved enrollment, PIN, or payment issues, use the contact options on eftps.gov or the IRS EFTPS pages. For complex payroll or deposit schedule questions, consider a payroll specialist or tax professional.

Sources and further reading

Professional disclaimer: This content is educational and not personalized tax advice. Consult a tax pro for guidance tailored to your situation.