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10 Best Credit Cards to Use to Pay Your Taxes in 2024



Whether you prepare and file your income taxes with a professional CPA or use a DIY-friendly online tax program like H&R Block to save on prep fees, the end result should be about the same. You’ll either qualify for a refund or have an outstanding liability that needs to be settled if you want to stay on the government’s good side.

If you find yourself in the latter camp, as millions of Americans do every year, you’ll have another choice to make: how to settle up with the IRS and your state tax authorities.

Most taxpayers either choose to have these payments debited electronically from a bank account or cut checks to cover the balance. But some chart a different course: plastic. Paying taxes with a credit card isn’t always ideal, but it can make sense if you use the right credit card.

Best Credit Cards to Pay Your Taxes

These are the best credit cards to pay your taxes this year.

You’ll notice that most have long 0% APR introductory promotions, generous sign-up bonuses, or both. Most also require a good credit score (or better), so check your credit before you apply and work on improving your score if you’re not sure you’ll qualify right away.


Best Cash-Back Credit Cards for Tax Payments

The most taxpayer-friendly cash-back cards have outsize sign-up bonuses and offer relatively high ongoing returns on spending — including on state and federal taxes — via generous cash rewards programs.

Check out our guide to the best cash-back credit cards for more ideas. Many of those cards are solid choices to pay taxes with too.

1. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Excellent Sign-up Bonus and Generous Cash-Back Program

Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card earns 1.5% cash back on most purchases after the first year, including tax payments. During the first year, it earns 3% cash back on most purchases.

A potentially extremely generous sign-up bonus is a nice offset to your annual tax bill as well. And the very long introductory 0% APR promotion on purchases ensures you won’t be liable for interest charges if you can’t pay off your tax payments right away.

  • Sign-Up Bonus: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
  • Earning Rewards: Following the end of the promotional period, this card earns unlimited 1.5% cash back on most purchases. Certain purchases earn more, including travel purchases made through Chase Travel (5% back) and drugstore and dining purchases (3% back).
  • Redeeming Rewards: Redeem in any amount for statement credits, bank account deposits, direct purchases with third-party retailers like Amazon, travel, and more.
  • Introductory APR: 0% introductory purchase APR for 15 months after account opening. Once the introductory promotion ends, variable regular APR applies — currently 20.49% - 29.24% APR.
  • Key Fees: There’s no annual fee. Foreign transactions cost 3% of the total transaction amount.

Read our Chase Freedom Unlimited review for more information.

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2. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

6% Cash Back at U.S. Supermarkets and Select Digital Media Services; 3% at U.S. Gas Stations and Transit Operators (Including Rideshare); 1% Everywhere Else

American Express Blue Cash Preferred Credit Card

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The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a premium supermarket credit card that also has a fantastic welcome offer for a cash-back card.

  • Welcome Offer: Earn $250 back after you spend at least $3,000 on purchases within the first 6 months. Cash back accrues as Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits.
  • Earning Rewards: Earn 6% cash back on select digital media and streaming services like Netflix and HBO and 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000 in U.S. supermarket spending per year (then 1% cash back on supermarket purchases). Plus, earn 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and transit operators, including rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft, and 1% cash back on everything else. Cash back accrues as Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits or Amazon.com checkout.
  • Redeeming Rewards: Redeem in $25 increments for statement credits or in variable amounts for gift cards and general merchandise.
  • Introductory APR: 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months, then variable regular APR applies (currently 19.24% to 29.99%). See the card’s rates and fees page.
  • Key Fees: The annual fee is $95. The foreign transaction fee is 2.7%. See the card’s rates and fees page.

Read our Blue Cash Preferred from American Express review and see the card’s rates and fees page for more information. Learn more about this card and find out how to apply here.

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3. Citi® Double Cash Card

Up to 2% Cash Back on Eligible Purchases

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The Citi® Double Cash Card doesn’t have a sign-up bonus, but the effective 2% cash-back rate is a nice perk that can meaningfully slim down your tax bill. Just remember to redeem your cash back every year to avoid the 12-month expiration cliff.

  • Sign-Up Bonus: None.
  • Earning Rewards: Earn unlimited 1% cash back on purchases when they post to your account and another 1% cash back on all balance payments when you make at least the minimum payment each month. The effective cash-back rate is therefore 2%.
  • Redeeming Rewards: Cash back expires after 12 months of account dormancy, defined as periods with no purchases or redemptions. To avoid expiration, redeem for statement credits once you have at least $25 in earned rewards.
  • Introductory APR: 0% APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then regular APR applies (currently 18.99% to 28.99%, depending on your creditworthiness and prevailing rates).
  • Key Fees: There’s no annual fee. The foreign transaction fee is 3%. Balance transfers cost the greater of $5 or 3% of the transferred amount.

Read our Citi® Double Cash Card review for more information. Learn more about this card and find out how to apply here.

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Best Travel Credit Cards for Tax Payments

Like their cash-back counterparts, the best travel credit cards for tax payments have big sign-up bonuses and generous ongoing rewards programs.

Check out our guide to the best travel rewards credit cards for more ideas.


4. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

5 Points per $1 Spent on Travel Purchased Through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal; 3 Points per $1 Spent on Eligible Dining Purchases, Select Streaming Service Purchases, and Online Grocery Purchases

Chase Sapphire Preferred

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular travel rewards credit card with one of the best sign-up bonuses in the category — one worth up to $750 when fully utilized. Use it to subsidize the out-of-pocket expense of your tax payments, then keep earning on everyday purchases until next tax season.

  • Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points, worth up to $750 on travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards, when you spend at least $4,000 within 3 months.
  • Earning Rewards: Earn 5 points total on eligible travel purchases made through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. Earn unlimited 3 points per $1 spent on qualifying purchases of dining (including takeout and dine-in), select streaming services, and online grocery deliveries. Earn unlimited 2 points per $1 spent on other eligible travel purchases and unlimited 1 point per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
  • Redeeming Rewards: The best way to redeem your Ultimate Rewards points is for travel purchases made through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards portal. This redemption method values points $0.0125 apiece, 25% more than normal. For a limited time, redeem for statement credits against certain other types of purchases (such as select Airbnb and Away purchases) using Chase’s Pay Yourself Back feature to get the same great rate. Otherwise, redeem for cash, gift cards, or checks at a per-point value of $0.01. Plus, earn 10% bonus points on eligible base point earnings (those accumulated at a rate of 1 point per $1 spent) each year after your account anniversary.
  • Introductory APR: None.
  • Key Fees: The annual fee is $95. There’s no foreign transaction fee.

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review for more information.

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5. Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card

3 Points per $1 Spent on Dining & Travel Worldwide; $300 Annual Travel Credit

Chase Sapphire Reserve

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card is a super-premium travel rewards credit card whose sign-up bonus is worth $900 when fully utilized — quite the offset for your end-of-year or quarterly tax payment.

And although it won’t help whittle down your tax burden any further, the $300 annual travel credit is a nice subsidy for the admittedly high annual fee.

  • Sign-Up Bonus: Spend at least $4,000 in qualifying purchases within 3 months to earn 60,000 bonus Ultimate Rewards points. That’s worth up to $900 when redeemed for airfare, hotels, and other travel purchases through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
  • Earning Rewards: Earn unlimited 3 points per $1 spent on qualifying dining and most travel purchases. Earn 5 total points per $1 spent on air travel purchases made through Chase Travel and 10 total points per $1 spent on hotel and car rental purchases made through Chase Travel. (Travel purchases earn points only after the $300 annual travel credit is exhausted.) Earn unlimited 1 point per $1 spent on most other purchases.
  • Redeeming Rewards: Redeem for travel purchases at the Ultimate Rewards portal to get a 50% boost in point value. Other redemption options, such as bank account deposits and general statement credits, value points at $0.01 apiece.
  • Introductory APR: None.
  • Key Fees: The annual fee is $550. The authorized user fee is $75 per card, per year. There’s no foreign transaction fee. Balance transfers cost the greater of $5 or 5%. Cash advances cost the greater of 5% or $10.

Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card review for more information.

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6. Capital One Venture® Rewards Credit Card

2x Miles Per Dollar on Most Purchases; For a Limited Time, 60,000 Miles Early Spend Bonus (Worth $600)

Capital One Venture Card Art 4 23 21

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The Capital One Venture® Rewards Credit Card is a premium travel rewards credit card with an amazing early spend bonus for taxpayers looking to front-load their point earnings.

Moving forward, enjoy benefits like a $100 credit against your Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fee and favorable point transfer arrangements with participating travel loyalty partners.

  • Early Spend Bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on the card within 3 months from account opening. That's worth $750 in travel expenses at redemption.
  • Earning Rewards: Earn unlimited 2 miles per $1 spent on most eligible purchases and 5 miles per $1 spent on hotel and car rental purchases made through Capital One Travel.
  • Redeeming Rewards: Redeem for statement credits against eligible travel purchases at a per-point value of $0.01 apiece.
  • Introductory APR: None.
  • Key Fees: There is a $95 annual fee. There’s no balance transfer fee or foreign transaction fee. Cash advances cost the greater of $10 or 3%.

Read our Capital One Venture® Rewards Credit Card review for more. Learn more about this card and find out how to apply here.

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7. The Platinum® Card from American Express

5x Membership Rewards Points (Up to 500,000 Earned Per Year) on Eligible Travel Purchases

Amex Platinum Card Art 2 4 21

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This premium Amex product, popularly known as The Platinum® Card, has an excellent welcome offer with a manageable spending threshold.

Its ongoing rewards program isn’t half bad either, and it boasts an array of luxury perks to satisfy frequent travelers long after their taxes are paid, including an annual $200 airline fee credit with the airline of your choice and up to $200 in annual Uber credits (enrollment required for both – terms apply).

  • Welcome Offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
  • Earning Rewards: You’ll earn 5 Membership Rewards points (limit 500,000 points earned per year) for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchases: flights booked directly with airlines, flights booked through American Express Travel, and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel.
  • Redeeming Rewards: Redeem for travel, merchandise, gift cards, statement credits, services, experiences, and more at the Membership Rewards portal.
  • Introductory APR: None.
  • Key Fees: The annual fee is $695. There is no foreign transaction fee. Late and returned payments cost up to $38. For more information, please visit the card’s rates and fees page.

Read our The Platinum Card from American Express review and see the card’s rates and fees page for more details. Learn more about this card and find out how to apply here.

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Best Low-APR Interest Credit Cards for Tax Payments

Low-APR credit cards aren’t known for attractive rewards programs or luxurious value-added perks. They stand out with long 0% APR introductory promotions and regular APRs low enough to make short- and medium-term financing bearable. And all three of these cards have no annual fee.

Check out our guide to the best low-APR interest credit cards for more ideas.

8. Citi® Diamond Preferred®

Long 0% APR Promotion on Purchases and Balance Transfers

Citi Diamond Preferred Card Art 4 16 20

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Citi® Diamond Preferred® is renowned for its super-long 0% APR introductory period on balance transfers and purchases. After these promotional periods end, variable APR applies. Needless to say, that’s music to taxpayers’ ears.

  • Earning Rewards: This card doesn’t have a rewards program.
  • Introductory APR: 0% APR on balance transfers for 21 months from the date of first transfer and 0% APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening. Eligible balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening. After the introductory periods end, regular APR applies (currently 17.99% to 28.74%, depending on your creditworthiness and prevailing rates).
  • Key Fees: There’s no annual fee or late fee. Foreign transactions cost 3% of the total amount. Balance transfers cost the greater of $5 or 5% of the transferred amount.

Read our Citi® Diamond Preferred® review for more information. Learn more and find out how to apply for Citi® Diamond Preferred® here.

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Best Small-Business Credit Cards for Tax Payments

These taxpayer-friendly small-business credit cards have fantastic sign-up bonuses or introductory APR promotions and attractive ongoing rewards.

Check out our guide to the best small-business credit cards for more ideas. And if you need help determining the most advantageous legal structure for your business, review our guide to choosing the right legal business entity.

9. Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Massive Sign-Up Bonus; Good Travel Redemption Rate

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The Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a premium business credit card with an outsize sign-up bonus. For maximum effect, apply just before paying your end-of-year and April estimated taxes.

  • Sign-Up Bonus: When you spend at least $8,000 in eligible purchases within 3 months of opening your account, you earn 100,000 bonus Ultimate Rewards points. That's worth $1,250 when redeemed for travel purchases, and $1,000 when redeemed for cash back or general merchandise.
  • Earning Rewards: Earn 3 points per $1 spent on qualifying travel, shipping, digital advertising, and telecom purchases up to the first $150,000 in annual spending across all categories. All other qualifying purchases, including tax payments, earn an unlimited 1 point per $1 spent.
  • Redeeming Rewards: Points are generally worth $0.01 or less at redemption but command a value of $0.0125 when redeemed for travel.
  • Introductory APR: None.
  • Key Fees: The annual fee is $95. There is no foreign transaction fee.

Read our Chase Ink Business Preferred Card review for more information.

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10. The American Express Blue Business Cash card

0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 Months, Then 18.49% to 26.49% APRs will not exceed 29.99% Variable Regular APR; 2% Cash Back on the First $50,000 in Eligible Purchases Each Year

American Express Blue Business Cash Card

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The The American Express Blue Business Cash card has one of the best 0% APR introductory promotions of any business credit card on the market, making it a great choice for business taxpayers who can’t pay off their estimated or end-of-year payments right away.

It also has a nice cash-back rate for low- to moderate-spending business owners.

  • Welcome Bonus: Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
  • Earning Rewards: Earn 2% back on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases each year, including tax payments. Then earn unlimited 1% cash back on eligible purchases.
  • Redeeming Rewards: Amex automatically applies accrued cash back to your account as a statement credit at the end of each billing period.
  • Introductory APR: 0% APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening, then 18.49% to 26.49% APRs will not exceed 29.99% variable, depending on your creditworthiness. See this card’s rates and fees for more details.
  • Key Fees: There is no annual fee. The foreign transaction fee is 2.7%. See this card’s rates and fees for more details.

For more, read our The American Express Blue Business Cash card review. Learn more about this card and find out how to apply here.

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Credit Card Tax Payment FAQs

Credit cards are complicated. Income taxes are too. So when they join forces, questions naturally arise. We answer some of the most common here.

How Much Does It Cost to Pay Your Taxes With a Credit Card?

All IRS-approved credit card payment processors — Pay1040.com, PayUSATax, and OfficialPayments (ACI Payments) — take a cut of the transaction to cover their own expenses. Their fees range from 1.5% to 2% of the total transaction amount, with a minimum between $2 and $3 per payment.

If you can’t offset this fee by earning credit card rewards, and you don’t qualify for a 0% intro APR promotion, paying your taxes with a credit card probably isn’t worth it.

When Does It Make Sense to Pay Your Taxes With a Credit Card?

It could make sense to pay your taxes with a credit card if:

  • You can avoid interest on the charge by paying off your balance in full or taking advantage of a 0% APR intro promotion
  • You can offset the processing fee by earning credit card reqards, ideally through a new card sign-up bonus (welcome offer)
  • You can’t afford to make the payment out of pocket and don’t qualify for an IRS installment plan

Does Paying Taxes With a Credit Card Hurt Your Credit Score?

Yes, it can, but it’s not guaranteed to. The reason paying taxes with a credit card can hurt your credit score is because it increases your credit utilization ratio, which is a major factor in determining your credit score. The higher your credit utilization, the riskier you appear to other lenders.

Should You Pay Interest on Credit Card Tax Payments?

Your cardholder agreement requires you to pay interest on carried credit card balances, so “should” doesn’t matter. To avoid paying interest on credit card tax payments, avoid making those payments in the first place if you don’t think you can pay them off in time.

Should You Pay Estimated Taxes With a Credit Card?

Yes, if you can offset the processing fee by earning rewards and you can pay off the balance before interest accrues. Otherwise, it’s probably not worth it.

Can You Pay Personal Taxes With a Business Credit Card?

It depends. If you’re a sole proprietor or operate a simple pass-through entity, it’s probably fine, but check with your accountant to confirm.


Final Word

Settling your tax bill isn’t the only way to take advantage of a 0% APR promotion or new cardholder offer. It’s not even the best.

Other major purchases, like materials for a major home improvement project or tickets for a long-delayed vacation, will probably add more value to your life in the long run than sending in yet another pile of dough with your income tax return.

But paying your taxes with a credit card can pay off big time this tax season — with a clear plan to avoid unnecessary interest charges and the right card for the job, that is. Hopefully, you’ve found that card on this list.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please visit this rates and fees page.

For rates and fees of the Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this rates and fees page.

For rates and fees of the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, see this rates and fees page.

Brian Martucci writes about credit cards, banking, insurance, travel, and more. When he's not investigating time- and money-saving strategies for Money Crashers readers, you can find him exploring his favorite trails or sampling a new cuisine. Reach him on Twitter @Brian_Martucci.
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