.png?width=191&name=mgalogofinal-01%20(3).png)
Now that Tax Day has passed, you may have just wrapped up a round of federal tax payments for your business or trust. Before the next quarterly due dates creep up, we thought it’d be the perfect time to revisit a tool that makes future payments easier, more organized, and trackable: EFTPS.
We’ve previously shared information about IRS Direct Pay, the simple and free option for individual taxpayers. But if you're paying under an Employer Identification Number (EIN) — whether as a business owner, fiduciary, or payroll provider — you’ll need to use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) instead.
EFTPS is a secure, flexible, and entirely free system from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. It supports a full range of tax types, allows you to schedule payments far in advance, and provides detailed payment tracking, making it an essential tool for anyone handling complex or recurring tax obligations.
What Is EFTPS?
EFTPS is an official U.S. Department of the Treasury system that allows individuals and entities to pay federal taxes online or by phone for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Whether you're paying income tax, payroll tax, estimated tax, or excise tax, EFTPS can handle it all. Unlike IRS Direct Pay, EFTPS supports payments made using either a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Employer Identification Number (EIN), which is why businesses and trusts must use EFTPS instead of Direct Pay.
Why Use EFTPS?
Here are a few reasons why EFTPS might be the right fit for you:
- Supports Business and Fiduciary Accounts: EFTPS allows entities like corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and trusts to make payments using an EIN.
- Advance Scheduling: You can schedule payments up to 365 days in advance for businesses and 120 days for individuals.
- Full Range of Tax Types: Income, employment (941/940), excise, estimated, and more are all covered.
- Secure Login: Access requires your Taxpayer ID (SSN or EIN), a Personal Identification Number (PIN), and an internet password.
- Payment Tracking: Get instant confirmation and view up to 15 months of payment history.
- Amend or Cancel Payments: You can modify or cancel a scheduled payment up to two business days before the due date.
How to Get Started with EFTPS
Before you can make a payment, you’ll need to enroll — a one-time process that typically takes up to five business days. Here's how to do it:
Step 1: Enroll
Visit www.eftps.gov and click “Enroll.” You’ll enter identifying information (SSN or EIN), banking details, and contact info.
Once submitted, you’ll receive:
- A PIN in the mail (usually within 5–7 business days)
- Instructions on how to set your internet password
Step 2: Make a Payment
Once enrolled, log into your EFTPS account and follow the prompts to make a payment:
- Select your tax form (e.g., 941 for payroll, 1041 for estates, 1040 for individuals).
- Choose your payment type and tax period.
- Enter your payment amount and banking information.
- Schedule the payment for any date up to a year in advance.
- Receive immediate confirmation.
Phone Option
Prefer the phone? You can make payments through the EFTPS voice response system at 800-555-3453, using your TIN, PIN, and payment information.
How EFTPS Compares to IRS Direct Pay
| Feature | EFTPS | IRS Direct Pay |
| Who Can Use It | Individuals and entities (businesses, trusts, fiduciaries) | Individuals only |
| ID Type Supported | SSN or EIN | SSN only |
| Tax Types Supported | Income, employment, excise, estimated, etc. | Personal income taxes only |
| Registration Required | Yes (takes ~5 business days) | No |
| Advance Scheduling | Up to 365 days (businesses) | 30 days |
| Recurring Payments | Yes | No |
When Should You Use EFTPS?
- You're paying with an EIN (e.g., business or trust)
- You need to schedule payments far in advance
- You want the ability to track payments or modify them
- You're making frequent or large payments
Stay Organized: Share Confirmation with Your MGA Team
Just like with IRS Direct Pay, we ask that you send your payment confirmation to us for our records. This ensures your payment is properly recorded and helps us keep your tax filings accurate and up-to-date.
Whether you're making quarterly estimated payments for your trust, paying payroll taxes as a business owner, or helping clients file and pay on time, EFTPS is the go-to solution for complex tax needs that IRS Direct Pay simply can't handle.
Still not sure which system is right for you? Let’s talk.
We’re here to make the complex simple, especially when it comes to your tax obligations, and ensure you stay on the right track.
Subscribe Now!
Want to stay up to date with our latest blog posts, educational videos, webinars, and more? Get the newest updates delivered right to your inbox by clicking here to receive instant notifications whenever we publish fresh content.
Alternatively, you can opt for our monthly roundup with valuable information and insights from our team of experts. Subscribe today and stay ahead of the curve with us.
