Tax Day 2025 Payment: What Can You Do If You Owe Money to the IRS?

Tax Payment 2025: As the tax season moves forward, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has reminded everyone that April 15 is the last date to make estimated tax payments for the first quarter of the 2025 fiscal year.

The official Tax Day in 2025 is Tuesday, April 15. That’s the last day for most people in the U.S. to file their tax return or ask for more time by requesting an extension. Some people do get extra time automatically, like those living in areas hit by natural disasters or those serving in combat zones.

By the week ending March 28, the IRS had received around 89.55 million tax returns. That number is a bit lower than last year, down about 0.8% compared to the 90.31 million returns filed by the same time in 2024, reported by ET.

This year, tax refunds are a bit higher than they were last year. The IRS says the average refund in 2025 is $3,170, which is about $120 more than the average refund of $3,050 in 2024.

Here’s a quick look at the numbers:

• Total refunds issued as of late March: 29.6 million
• Total refunds issued in 2024 by this time: 28.9 million
• Total dollar amount refunded so far in 2025: Over $102.25 billion
• Average refund (including all refund types): Roughly $3,453

That means the IRS has already returned billions to taxpayers — and it’s not done yet.

Payment Plans for Those Who Can’t Pay in Full

Some people might not be able to pay their full tax amount by the due date. The IRS understands this and says that those who can’t pay the full amount should still pay as much as they can now. They can also apply for a payment plan online.

IRS Payment Schedule April 2025: When Will Your Tax Refund Arrive This Month?

 According to information from the IRS’s own website, “taxpayers who cannot pay their taxes in full by the deadline should pay what they can now and apply for a payment plan online.” There is also a way to ask for more time to file taxes.

Anyone, no matter their income, can file Form 4868 to ask for an automatic extension to file their tax return. This can be done through the IRS Free File system at irs.gov

People can make tax payments using several electronic methods like Direct Pay, debit card, credit card, or even a digital wallet. When using these options, they must make sure to mark the payment as part of their extension.

Different Payment Plan Choices Available

The IRS has two main types of payment plans.

• A short-term plan is for those who owe less than $100,000 in total, including penalties and interest. This plan gives them up to 180 extra days to pay the full amount.
• The long-term plan is for people who owe less than $50,000. With this option, people can pay off the total amount in smaller monthly payments. This plan usually stretches over 7 years, often up to 10 years, until the full balance is paid.

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If someone applies for a payment plan online, they will get to know right away if the IRS accepts or rejects their request. There is no need to call or send letters to find out what happened with the application.

Even though the IRS gives people extra time to pay, they still charge interest on any unpaid amount. There is some relief, if the taxpayer is on a payment plan, the late payment penalty gets reduced by half, which can help make the debt easier to manage.

Can Parenthood or Divorce Can Affect Your Taxes?

Yes, big life changes like having a baby, getting married or divorced, or losing a spouse can affect your taxes. They might change your filing status, deductions, or eligibility for credits. For instance, new parents may qualify for up to $2,000 per child through the Child Tax Credit. Using tax software or talking to an advisor can help you file correctly.