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Best Credit Cards To Pay Taxes Of July 2024

Banking Writer
Deputy Editor

Fact Checked

Updated: Jun 24, 2024, 5:35pm

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

As the famous Benjamin Franklin quote goes, “…nothing is certain except death and taxes.” But did you know you can use a credit card as your payment method? Paying your taxes by credit card comes with some pitfalls like expensive payment processing fees, but in certain circumstances, using a credit card can help you earn valuable rewards or delay tax payments for a period. The best credit cards to pay taxes earn bonus rewards and come with additional benefits that can offset or outweigh added processing fees.

Why you can trust Forbes Advisor

Our credit card editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and companies, so all are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the credit card methodology for the ratings below.

  • 210 Credit Cards Ranked
  • 28,000 Data Points Collected
  • 5 Levels of Fact-Checking
  • 95 Categories Considered

Read more
Show Summary

Best Credit Cards To Pay Taxes


Best Personal Cards for Paying Taxes

Best for Easy Travel Rewards

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Apply Now Apply Now
On Capital One's Website
4.8
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Apply Now Apply Now
On Capital One's Website

Up to 5X Reward Rate

Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and earn unlimited 1.25X miles on everyRead More

Welcome Bonus

20,000 Miles

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 - 749)

Our Expert Take

This card keeps it simple but has enough to keep things interesting. It’s one of the few no annual fee cards that allows transfers to travel partners. You’ll also earn flat-rate rewards with several easy options for redeeming. It travels well, too: There are no foreign transaction fees and you’ll earn extra points for booking hotels and rental cars through Capital One’s travel portal.

Pros & Cons
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • No annual fee
  • No penalty APR
  • Ongoing rewards rate is relatively low
  • Locked in to Capital One Travel booking to earn the highest rewards
Card Details
  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% – 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Best for Pooling ThankYou Points

Citi Custom Cash® Card

Apply Now Apply Now
On Citi's Website
4.7
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Apply Now Apply Now
On Citi's Website

Up to 5% Reward Rate

5% cash back on up to $500 in purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle. 4% cashRead More

Welcome Bonus

$200

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

Credit Score

Excellent, Good, Fair

Our Expert Take

The Citi Custom Cash is a great option for people looking to maximize cash back rewards without having to worry about activating or selecting bonus categories.

Expert Commentary
Julian Kheel
Julian Kheel
Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert
With over 15 years of professional experience studying credit cards and travel loyalty programs, Julian Kheel has served as CNN’s senior editor covering travel and credit cards, as well as the editorial director for The Points Guy, and worked as a consultant for the biggest airlines. He is currently the CEO of Tripsight Inc., an award tools company that recently released Points Path, the first browser extension that automatically adds the prices of flights in miles into Google Flights search results to help travelers decide when to best use their travel rewards.
 
Julian first learned the ins and outs of credit card rewards and travel loyalty programs while flying more than 200,000 miles a year as a TV producer and director for World Wrestling Entertainment. (And yes, of course it’s all real.) He has previously written about travel and credit cards for U.S. News & World Report, Upgraded Points and Going, and created weekly columns for the travel websites Frequent Miler and Travel Codex.
 
In addition to appearing as a TV analyst to discuss travel and loyalty programs on national segments for CNN, Bloomberg News, CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Yahoo Finance and Cheddar TV, Julian has also been featured on ABC and CBS Radio, and has been quoted in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Tribune on travel-related topics as well.
Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert

If you’ve always wanted a credit card that adapts to your lifestyle instead of you having to adapt to it, you’ve found what you’re looking for with the Citi Custom Cash. You’ll never have to worry again about making sure you’re earning bonus points at the places you shop the most, because this card will automatically do it for you — even if those places change every month.

Pros & Cons
  • No registration required to earn bonus rewards
  • Cash-back categories are unique categories that other cards may not offer bonus rewards for
  • Introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers
  • No annual fee
  • High balance transfer fee
  • High foreign transaction fee
  • Some everyday rewards categories are neglected
Card Details
  • Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.
  • No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash® Card account per person.
Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Best for Flat-Rate Travel Rewards

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Apply Now Apply Now
On Capital One's Website
4.6
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Apply Now Apply Now
On Capital One's Website

Up to 5X Reward Rate

Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5X miles on Capital One EntertainmentRead More

Welcome Bonus

Earn 75,000 bonus miles

Annual Fee

$95

Regular APR

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 - 749)

Our Expert Take

Casual travelers who don’t plan to carry a balance will find good value in this card’s rewards rate.

Expert Commentary
Kimberly Shearer
Kimberly Shearer
Credit Cards Writer
Kimberly Shearer is a credit cards enthusiast, family travel blogger and mom of three boys who lives in the Philadelphia area. She is an extreme couponer turned points and miles enthusiast who loves using credit card points to spoil her family on nearly free vacations. She has been perfecting the fine art of traveling with kids since 2009 and uses her blog, podcast and social media to teach other parents how to travel more for less.
Credit Cards Writer

The Capital One Venture Rewards card is extremely low maintenance as far as travel reward cards go. It provides consistent value and flexibility when it comes to earning and redeeming points for travel and is an excellent alternative for anyone a bit leery of the high Venture X annual fee (rates & fees).

Pros & Cons
  • Solid rewards rate
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® statement credit (up to $100)
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Miles are easy to redeem either via partner transfers or by applying against travel purchases
  • $95 annual fee
  • No introductory APR on purchases or transfers
Card Details
  • Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Best for First Year Cash-Back Rewards

Discover it® Cash Back

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On Discover's Website
4.6
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Apply Now Apply Now
On Discover's Website

Up to 5% Reward Rate

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations,Read More

Welcome Bonus

Cashback Match™

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR

Credit Score

Excellent/Good

Our Expert Take

For moderate spenders who are willing to activate the 5% rotating categories and track the quarterly spending cap, this no-annual-fee card can deliver tidy rewards outside of its ongoing 1% earning rate.

Expert Commentary
Julian Kheel
Julian Kheel
Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert
With over 15 years of professional experience studying credit cards and travel loyalty programs, Julian Kheel has served as CNN’s senior editor covering travel and credit cards, as well as the editorial director for The Points Guy, and worked as a consultant for the biggest airlines. He is currently the CEO of Tripsight Inc., an award tools company that recently released Points Path, the first browser extension that automatically adds the prices of flights in miles into Google Flights search results to help travelers decide when to best use their travel rewards.
 
Julian first learned the ins and outs of credit card rewards and travel loyalty programs while flying more than 200,000 miles a year as a TV producer and director for World Wrestling Entertainment. (And yes, of course it’s all real.) He has previously written about travel and credit cards for U.S. News & World Report, Upgraded Points and Going, and created weekly columns for the travel websites Frequent Miler and Travel Codex.
 
In addition to appearing as a TV analyst to discuss travel and loyalty programs on national segments for CNN, Bloomberg News, CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Yahoo Finance and Cheddar TV, Julian has also been featured on ABC and CBS Radio, and has been quoted in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Tribune on travel-related topics as well.
Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert

The quarterly categories are the highlight of the Discover it® Cash Back. You’ll often find broad options on its rotating list of categories, such as restaurants, drug stores, gas stations and groceries, which makes it easy for almost any household to take advantage of them. Just don’t get tripped up by forgetting to activate the categories at the start of each quarter, because you can’t do it retroactively to earn bonus cash back on your past purchases.

Pros & Cons
  • 5% cash back on quarterly rotating spending categories throughout the year (activation required)
  • Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
  • No minimum cash-back redemption
  • 5% bonus cash-back rate is limited to $1,500 per quarter in spending
  • Bonus categories must be activated quarterly
  • Low 1% base reward rate on everything else
Card Details
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • No annual fee.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Best for Introductory APR

Citi Rewards+® Card

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On Citi's Website
4.6
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Apply Now Apply Now
On Citi's Website

Up to 5X Reward Rate

Earn 2X ThankYou® Points per dollar at supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1XRead More

Welcome Bonus

20,000 points

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

18.74% - 28.74% (Variable)

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 - 749)

Our Expert Take

The Citi Rewards+® Card is an intriguing option as an everyday card for small purchases. In terms of rewards earnings, Citi rounds up all purchases to the next 10 points. Meaning, that a $3 purchase will earn 10 points. Earn additional rewards with a 10% redemption bonus each year (on up to 100,000 redeemed points) plus an increased earning rate on supermarkets and gas spending up to the annual $6,000 cap— with no annual fee.

Expert Commentary
Julian Kheel
Julian Kheel
Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert
With over 15 years of professional experience studying credit cards and travel loyalty programs, Julian Kheel has served as CNN’s senior editor covering travel and credit cards, as well as the editorial director for The Points Guy, and worked as a consultant for the biggest airlines. He is currently the CEO of Tripsight Inc., an award tools company that recently released Points Path, the first browser extension that automatically adds the prices of flights in miles into Google Flights search results to help travelers decide when to best use their travel rewards.
 
Julian first learned the ins and outs of credit card rewards and travel loyalty programs while flying more than 200,000 miles a year as a TV producer and director for World Wrestling Entertainment. (And yes, of course it’s all real.) He has previously written about travel and credit cards for U.S. News & World Report, Upgraded Points and Going, and created weekly columns for the travel websites Frequent Miler and Travel Codex.
 
In addition to appearing as a TV analyst to discuss travel and loyalty programs on national segments for CNN, Bloomberg News, CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Yahoo Finance and Cheddar TV, Julian has also been featured on ABC and CBS Radio, and has been quoted in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Tribune on travel-related topics as well.
Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert

For those who never carry cash and use their credit card for even the smallest purchases, the “round up” feature of the Citi Rewards+ can quickly add up. But don’t sleep on the card’s 10% rebate on point redemptions up to the yearly cap, either. Take advantage of both of these features, and you’ll soon find yourself with a larger stack of rewards.

Pros & Cons
  • All purchases rounded up to the nearest 10 rewards points.
  • 10% points bonus added to the first 100,000 points redeemed annually.
  • No rotating categories to manage.
  • Foreign transaction fee.
  • Potentially high APR depending on your creditworthiness.
  • High balance transfer fee
  • Annual $6,000 spending cap on 2x points category.
Card Details
  • Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com
  • Plus, as a special offer, earn a total of 5 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com through December 31, 2025.
  • 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from date of first transfer and on purchases from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 18.74% – 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
  • Earn 2X ThankYou® Points at Supermarkets and Gas Stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points thereafter. Plus, earn 1X ThankYou® Points on All Other Purchases.
  • The Citi Rewards+® Card – the only credit card that automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase – with no cap.
  • No Annual Fee
Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Best for Rotating Bonus Categories

Chase Freedom Flex®

Apply Now Apply Now
On Chase Bank USA, NA's Website
4.6
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Apply Now Apply Now
On Chase Bank USA, NA's Website

Up to 5% Reward Rate

Earn 5% cash back in categories that rotate quarterly on up to $1,500 when enrolled, 5% on travel purchased throughRead More

Welcome Bonus

$200 bonus

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

20.49%-29.24% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 - 749)

Our Expert Take

This card has the brawn to handle just about all of your credit card spending needs without an over-inflated price tag. The card has an annual fee of $0, yet comes with a pumped-up earnings structure that covers a wide swath of expenses including travel, drugstores and dining plus rotating quarterly bonus categories in areas many households are likely to find appealing.

Expert Commentary
Julian Kheel
Julian Kheel
Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert
With over 15 years of professional experience studying credit cards and travel loyalty programs, Julian Kheel has served as CNN’s senior editor covering travel and credit cards, as well as the editorial director for The Points Guy, and worked as a consultant for the biggest airlines. He is currently the CEO of Tripsight Inc., an award tools company that recently released Points Path, the first browser extension that automatically adds the prices of flights in miles into Google Flights search results to help travelers decide when to best use their travel rewards.
 
Julian first learned the ins and outs of credit card rewards and travel loyalty programs while flying more than 200,000 miles a year as a TV producer and director for World Wrestling Entertainment. (And yes, of course it’s all real.) He has previously written about travel and credit cards for U.S. News & World Report, Upgraded Points and Going, and created weekly columns for the travel websites Frequent Miler and Travel Codex.
 
In addition to appearing as a TV analyst to discuss travel and loyalty programs on national segments for CNN, Bloomberg News, CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Yahoo Finance and Cheddar TV, Julian has also been featured on ABC and CBS Radio, and has been quoted in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Tribune on travel-related topics as well.
Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert

Kudos to Chase for always keeping the rotating categories relevant on the Freedom Flex. From Amazon to PayPal and Starbucks to Walmart, you’re almost guaranteed to find at least one quarter every year (or even several) where the 5 bonus points roll in with almost no effort. Just don’t forget to activate the categories every quarter.

Pros & Cons
  • No annual fee
  • Rotating quarterly categories earn 5% rewards when activated, up to a combined quarterly $1,500 maximum
  • Travel rewards rate rivals some of the best premium travel cards
  • Generous rewards rate in several other categories
  • Travel bookings must be made through Chase Travel℠ to earn 5% cash back
Card Details
  • Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
  • 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
  • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
  • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
  • No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex® card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health – Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening!
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Best for Travel Rewards

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Apply Now Apply Now
On Chase Bank USA, NA's Website
4.5
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Apply Now Apply Now
On Chase Bank USA, NA's Website

Up to 5x Reward Rate

Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on allRead More

Welcome Bonus

60,000 bonus points

Annual Fee

$95

Regular APR

21.49%-28.49% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 - 749)

Our Expert Take

Offering a rare mix of high rewards rates and redemption flexibility, this card is a dream for frequent spenders on travel & dining – while charging a modest annual fee.

Expert Commentary
Julian Kheel
Julian Kheel
Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert
With over 15 years of professional experience studying credit cards and travel loyalty programs, Julian Kheel has served as CNN’s senior editor covering travel and credit cards, as well as the editorial director for The Points Guy, and worked as a consultant for the biggest airlines. He is currently the CEO of Tripsight Inc., an award tools company that recently released Points Path, the first browser extension that automatically adds the prices of flights in miles into Google Flights search results to help travelers decide when to best use their travel rewards.
 
Julian first learned the ins and outs of credit card rewards and travel loyalty programs while flying more than 200,000 miles a year as a TV producer and director for World Wrestling Entertainment. (And yes, of course it’s all real.) He has previously written about travel and credit cards for U.S. News & World Report, Upgraded Points and Going, and created weekly columns for the travel websites Frequent Miler and Travel Codex.
 
In addition to appearing as a TV analyst to discuss travel and loyalty programs on national segments for CNN, Bloomberg News, CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Yahoo Finance and Cheddar TV, Julian has also been featured on ABC and CBS Radio, and has been quoted in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Tribune on travel-related topics as well.
Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert

I​​t’s the granddaddy of travel credit cards, but it still earns its reputation as one of the best around with solid bonus categories, strong travel protections, a great set of domestic and international transfer partners and a reasonable annual fee to boot. You can’t go wrong with it as your first travel credit card.

Pros & Cons
  • Earn high rewards on several areas of spending
  • Transfer points to travel partners at 1:1 rate
  • Many travel and shopping protections
  • Annual fee
  • No intro APR offer
  • Best travel earning rates are only for bookings through the Chase Travel portal
Card Details
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Best Business Cards for Paying Taxes

Best for Membership Rewards

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

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On American Express's Website
5.0
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Apply Now Apply Now
On American Express's Website

Up to 2X Reward Rate

Earn 2X points on the first $50,000 in purchases each year; Earn unlimited 1X points on purchases thereafter

Welcome Bonus

Earn 15,000 points

Annual Fee

No annual fee

Regular APR

18.49% - 26.49% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent/Good (700 - 749)

Our Expert Take

The Blue Business Plus card is a rare example of a no-annual-fee way to game your rewards earnings. You’ll earn 2X points on all purchases up to $50,000 per year. It’s a perfect fit if your business is small enough to spend less than $50,000 per year. If not, spend up to the $50,000 max, then switch to another card for the rest of the year’s purchases. You’ll win either way.

Expert Commentary
Julian Kheel
Julian Kheel
Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert
With over 15 years of professional experience studying credit cards and travel loyalty programs, Julian Kheel has served as CNN’s senior editor covering travel and credit cards, as well as the editorial director for The Points Guy, and worked as a consultant for the biggest airlines. He is currently the CEO of Tripsight Inc., an award tools company that recently released Points Path, the first browser extension that automatically adds the prices of flights in miles into Google Flights search results to help travelers decide when to best use their travel rewards.
 
Julian first learned the ins and outs of credit card rewards and travel loyalty programs while flying more than 200,000 miles a year as a TV producer and director for World Wrestling Entertainment. (And yes, of course it’s all real.) He has previously written about travel and credit cards for U.S. News & World Report, Upgraded Points and Going, and created weekly columns for the travel websites Frequent Miler and Travel Codex.
 
In addition to appearing as a TV analyst to discuss travel and loyalty programs on national segments for CNN, Bloomberg News, CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Yahoo Finance and Cheddar TV, Julian has also been featured on ABC and CBS Radio, and has been quoted in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Tribune on travel-related topics as well.
Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert

For small businesses looking to earn valuable travel rewards at a rapid clip, you can’t go wrong with the Blue Business Plus. Its simplicity means you won’t have to worry about maximizing bonus categories, and it’s also the only small business card that can transfer points to any of Amex’s airline and hotel partners without ever having to pay an annual fee.

Pros & Cons
  • Wide variety of airline transfer partners
  • No annual fee
  • High rewards rate on the first $50,000 in annual spending
  • There’s a foreign transaction fee
  • 2 points per dollar rewards rate falls to 1 point per dollar after $50,000 in annual spending
Card Details
  • Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% – 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
  • You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
  • *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Terms Apply
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Best for No Annual Fee

Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business *

Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business
4.7
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.

Up to 5X Reward Rate

Earn unlimited 1.5X miles per dollar on every other purchase; earn unlimited 5x miles per dollar on hotels and rentalRead More

Welcome Bonus

50,000 miles

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

18.49% - 24.49% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 - 749)

Our Expert Take

Here’s an excellent fit for small business owners who want a simple rewards program without spending caps or rotating categories. No annual fee and unlimited 1.5X miles make this a cost-efficient business rewards card.

Expert Commentary
Lee Huffman
Lee Huffman
Credit Cards Expert Writer
Lee Huffman spent 18 years as a financial planner and corporate finance manager before quitting his corporate job to write full time. He has been writing about early retirement, credit cards, travel, insurance and other personal finance topics since 2012. He enjoys showing people how to travel more, spend less and live better by taking control of their finances. When Lee is not getting his passport stamped around the world, he's researching methods to earn more miles and points toward his next vacation.
Credit Cards Expert Writer

While this card’s benefits are limited, it is one of the few no-annual-fee cards that allows transfers to airline and hotel partners. With its flexible rewards, businesses can also redeem them in many ways, including cash back, travel or covering previous travel purchases.

Pros & Cons
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Earn unlimited miles that never expire
  • Miles can be transferred to Capital One’s travel partners
  • Business management tools including quarterly reports
  • Free employee cards
  • No intro APR offer for balance transfers
  • High penalty APR
Card Details
  • Earn unlimited 1.5X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won’t expire for the life of the account
  • Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
  • No annual fee
  • Use your miles on flights, hotels, vacation packages and more—you can use your miles to cover eligible travel purchases to over a dozen travel partners
  • Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
  • Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 1.5X miles from their purchases
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Best for Cash Bonus

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Apply Now Apply Now
On American Express's Website
4.5
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Apply Now Apply Now
On American Express's Website

Up to 2% Reward Rate

Earn 2% Cash Back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year; Earn 1% Cash Back onRead More

Welcome Bonus

Earn $250

Annual Fee

No annual fee

Regular APR

18.49% - 26.49% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent/Good (700 - 749)

Our Expert Take

Considering there’s no annual fee, the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card pays off for business owners who spend $50k or less per year. Just don’t use the card overseas, as the foreign transaction fee eclipses the cashback rewards.

Expert Commentary
TJ Porter
TJ Porter
Investing Writer
TJ Porter is a freelance writer based in Malden, Massachusetts. He's been covering personal finance for approximately a decade, focusing on topics such as investing, credit and credit cards. His writing has appeared on Credit Karma, Investopedia and Newsweek Vault.
Investing Writer

For companies with moderate spending, the Blue Business Cash offers one of the simplest deals for earning rewards. Businesses earn a strong 2% cash back on purchases without needing to pay an annual fee or remember bonus categories, all while getting other popular Amex perks like vendor payment tools.

Pros & Cons
  • No annual fee
  • Introductory APR on purchases
  • Great extra benefits like purchase protection and car rental insurance
  • Business-oriented benefits like employee cards and authorized manager accounts
  • Highest-earning cash-back reward capped after $50,000 in annual spending
  • High foreign transaction fees
  • No low introductory APR for balance transfers
Card Details
  • Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
  • 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% – 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
  • Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
  • From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
  • Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Terms Apply
Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Best Business Card for Travel Benefits

Capital One Spark Miles for Business *

Capital One Spark Miles for Business
4.5
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.

Up to 5X Reward Rate

Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase; earn unlimited 5X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked throughRead More

Welcome Bonus

50,000 miles

Annual Fee

$0 intro for the first year; $95 after that

Regular APR

26.24% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 - 749)

Our Expert Take

For busy entrepreneurs, you can’t beat the simplicity of earning 2x miles per dollar on all spending, with no limits or categories to manage. That’s precisely what this card offers, plus high redemption values for travel rewards and a rich welcome bonus.

Pros & Cons
  • Free employee cards
  • Earn 2x miles on all purchases with no limits
  • No blackout dates or seat restrictions
  • Get two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or Plaza Premium Lounges
  • Sky-high penalty APR
  • High regular APR
Card Details
  • Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won’t expire for the life of the account
  • Use miles to cover eligible travel purchases to 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
  • Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,500 in the first 3 months
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Summary of the Best Credit Cards To Pay Taxes

Credit Card
Best For
Credit Score
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
Best for Easy Travel Rewards
Excellent, Good
$0
20,000 Miles
Best for Pooling ThankYou Points
Excellent, Good, Fair
$0
$200
Best for Flat-Rate Travel Rewards
Excellent, Good
$95
Earn 75,000 bonus miles
Best for First Year Cash-Back Rewards
Excellent/Good
$0
Cashback Match™
Best for Introductory APR
Excellent, Good
$0
20,000 points
Best for Rotating Bonus Categories
Excellent, Good
$0
$200 bonus
Best for Travel Rewards
Excellent, Good
$95
60,000 bonus points
Best for Membership Rewards
Excellent/Good
No annual fee
Earn 15,000 points
Best for No Annual Fee
Excellent, Good
$0
50,000 miles
Best for Cash Bonus
Excellent/Good
No annual fee
Earn $250
Best Business Card for Travel Benefits
Excellent, Good
$0 intro for the first year; $95 after that
50,000 miles

Best Credit Cards To Pay Taxes

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

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If you like to travel but don’t love fees, consider the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (rates & fees). The card has no annual fee and earns modest flat-rate rewards on all card purchases, including tax payments. Plus, you can redeem the rewards you earn multiple ways through Capital One Travel, including flights and hotels, reimbursements for travel purchases or transferring your miles to over 15 travel loyalty programs.

Rewards: Earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.25 miles per dollar on every other purchase.

Welcome offer: Earn 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel.

Annual fee: $0

Other benefits and drawbacks: The miles you earn with the Capital One VentureOne Rewards do not expire for the life of your account. Other travel benefits include travel accident insurance, rental car collision coverage and no foreign transaction fees. The card also features a lengthy 0% intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; 3% balance transfer fee for the first 15 months, 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you.

Citi Custom Cash® Card

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On its own, the Citi Custom Cash® Card isn’t necessarily beneficial for tax payments. The card’s highest cash-back rates are only available within select spending categories, which don’t include taxes or payment processors like PayPal. And while the card earns ThankYou® Points, your redemption options are limited.

But, when you pair it with a premium Citi card that also earns ThankYou® Points, the card’s value increases. Paying your taxes with the Citi Custom Cash® Card and then transferring the rewards earning from those payments to another Citi card will allow you to pool your points and access more flexible redemptions, including transfers to Citi travel transfer partners like Emirates, Cathay Pacific and Wyndham Rewards.

Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on purchases in a top eligible spend category up to the first $500 spent each billing cycle, 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025 and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn $200 in cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. The bonus points come in the form of 20,000 ThankYou® Points that can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

Annual fee: $0

Other benefits and drawbacks: ThankYou points don’t expire as long as your account remains open. Unfortunately, Citi places limits on how much you can earn in your top eligible spending category each billing cycle. The Citi Custom Cash® Card offers a 0% introductory APR for 15 months from date of account opening on purchases and from date of first transfer for balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on creditworthiness. There is also a balance transfer fee of 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum but otherwise only comes with basic benefits.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (rates & fees) is a frequent flyer on “best of” credit card lists and for a good reason. The card makes it easy to earn miles with its competitive flat-rate rewards on every card purchase (including taxes). There are no categories to track to ensure you’re maximizing spending opportunities. Plus, the card has a giant welcome bonus offer and offers a myriad of redemption options.

Rewards: Earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar spent on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25 and an unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.

Annual fee: $95

Other benefits and drawbacks: The travel benefits of Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card don’t stop at rewards. The card features several travel perks like a credit of up to $100 on Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fees. Plus, you’ll have access to protections like car rental collision coverage, travel accident insurance and 24/7 travel assistance services. The card does not charge foreign transaction fees.

Discover it® Cash Back

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The Discover it® Cash Back offers something very few cards (outside of Discover) offer—a limitless bonus offer. Discover automatically matches all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. If you pay your taxes with the card, you could effectively double the rewards you earn on spending you have to do anyway. The card doesn’t earn more for tax payments, but it does offer elevated cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases in quarterly rotating spending categories you activate.

Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter up to a quarterly maximum of $1,500 in spending when activated. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.

Welcome offer: Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first year as a cardmember. There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards.

Annual fee: $0

Other benefits and drawbacks: The Discover it® Cash Back earns only 1% as its base rate, but the 5% bonus on rotating categories still keeps it competitive with other cash-back cards. Plus, the Discover it® Cash Back offers a long intro APR offer purchases and balance transfers and unique consumer protections. With its online privacy protection, Discover regularly removes your personal information from websites that may sell your information. You can also opt-in for Social Security number alerts if Discover finds your number on the Dark Web.

Citi Rewards+® Card

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The Citi Rewards+® Card offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from date of first transfer and on purchases from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 18.74% - 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness. An intro balance transfer fee of either 3% of each transfer or a minimum amount of $5 within the first 4 months of account opening applies. After that, the amount of each balance transfer will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5) applies. The slightly lower intro balance transfer fee might give this card the edge on other similar offers. If you have existing card debt from past tax payments or other purchases, the Citi Rewards+® Card could be useful for paying it off over time without interest charges.

Rewards: Earn 2 ThankYou Points per dollar at supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6,000 in spending per year and 1 ThankYou Point per dollar on other eligible purchases, plus 5 ThankYou® Points per dollar on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com through December 31, 2025.

Welcome offer: Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 in purchases within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com.

Annual fee: $0

Other benefits and drawbacks: With the Citi Rewards+® Card, all card purchases are rounded up to the nearest ten rewards points. The benefit won’t make a huge difference on larger transactions like tax payments, but it’s beneficial for individuals who frequently make smaller purchases. Also, you earn increased cash back at supermarkets and gas stations, but there’s a cap on how much bonus cash back you can earn each year. The Citi Rewards+® Card has no annual fee but charges a 3% foreign transaction fee on international purchases.

Chase Freedom Flex®

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Earning bonus rewards for tax payments with Chase Freedom Flex® may depend on the timing of your payments. That’s because the card earns bonus cash back on quarterly rotating categories you activate, up to a combined quarterly $1,500 maximum. Most of the rotating categories have nothing to do with taxes, but sometimes the card earns bonus cash back with PayPal, which happens to be a payment method offered by federal tax payment processors. Timing is everything with this benefit, and there’s no guarantee going forward that PayPal will be an option again in the near future. But earning 5% back on your taxes is substantial.

Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in categories that rotate quarterly (requires activation), 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on dining and drugstores and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Annual fee: $0

Other benefits and drawbacks: The no annual fee Chase Freedom Flex® currently offers partner benefits with DoorDash, Instacart and Lyft. It also comes with several travel and consumer protections, including cellphone protection. It’s not necessarily the best card to use when traveling, thanks to its foreign transaction fee.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card routinely ranks among the top travel cards. Not only does it come with a large welcome bonus and several bonus spending categories, it also offers access to Chase Ultimate Rewards®, one of the most versatile rewards programs on the market. The program offers flexible ways to redeem your points for travel. Plus, they’re worth even more when used to book travel through Chase. You can also transfer your points to more than a dozen airline and hotel travel partners. Meaning, if you were to pay your taxes with this card, the rewards you would generate would be worth outsized value if redeemed for travel.

Rewards: Earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $95

Other benefits and drawbacks: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is loaded with travel benefits and travel protections. It has no foreign transaction fees and comes with partner benefits with Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart and Peloton.

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

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For business owners who want to earn Membership Rewards points, may want to consider The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (Terms apply, see rates & fees). With this card, you’ll earn bonus points on up to $50,000 in eligible business spending annually. Once you’ve earned those points, Membership Rewards offers several ways to redeem them. One of the best ways to redeem points is to transfer them to any of Amex’s over 20 airline and hotel partners like Delta, Hawaiian Airlines, Hilton and Marriott.

Rewards: Earn 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners up to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, then 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.

Annual fee: No annual fee

Other benefits and drawbacks: Since bonus rates are capped on the card, it’s not a great option for businesses that spend more than $50K annually. Also, the card isn’t great for international travelers because of its foreign transaction fees. And, like some other Amex cards, The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express offers expanded buying power to spend beyond your credit limit.

Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business *

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The Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business* is an excellent option if you want travel benefits from a business credit card without an annual fee. The card has a nice welcome bonus and flat-rate rewards on every card purchase (though the card earns miles and not cash back). Like other select Capital One travel cards, you can redeem your rewards for travel, to cover past travel purchases or transfer them to over 15 travel partner programs. You also get other travel perks like no foreign transaction fees, roadside assistance and rental car collision insurance coverage.

Rewards: Earn 1.5 miles per dollar on every purchase.

Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

Annual fee: $0

Other benefits and drawbacks: With the Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business*, you can request free cards for employees to maximize your earning potential. Also, you can assign someone as an account manager and set spending limits on individual employee cards as needed. However the card carries an extremely high penalty APR so be sure you always make your payments on time and in full.

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

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With The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card (Terms apply, see rates & fees), you can earn a decent cash bonus with a relatively low spending requirement. Plus, the no fee business card earns flat-rate bonus cash back on up to $50,000 on eligible business purchases annually.

Rewards: Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%.

Welcome offer: Earn $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.

Annual fee: No annual fee

Other benefits and drawbacks: The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card comes with an intro APR offer on purchases, but not balance transfers. It also charges a foreign transaction fee, so it’s not ideal for international travel. It also offers expanded buying power, free employee cards and compatibility with QuickBooks.

Capital One Spark Miles for Business *

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For a business card that travels well, consider the Capital One Spark Miles for Business*. The card offers some valuable travel benefits for cardholders, including a credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees, no foreign transaction fees and two free visits to Capital One Lounges annually. The card’s annual fee is waived for the first year.

Rewards: Earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase and 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year; $95 after that

Other benefits and drawbacks: Not only does the Capital One Spark Miles for Business* have an incredibly high penalty APR, it also charges a high regular APR.


Methodology

Few credit cards offer direct tax benefits, although many cards, like the ones listed above, earn rewards when used for tax payments. Many of these cards offer valuable consumer benefits.

Forbes Advisor evaluated dozens of credit cards to determine the best credit cards to use to pay for your taxes. Factors considered include:

  • Annual fees
  • Welcome bonus offers
  • Ongoing reward rates
  • Redemption options
  • Introductory APR offers
  • Ongoing APR
  • Additional cardholder benefits

Read more: How Forbes Advisor Rates Credit Cards


Pros and Cons of Using a Credit Card for Tax Payments

Pros

  • Delayed payment: Paying your taxes with a credit card can help defer payment if you need more time beyond tax deadlines.
  • Meet minimum spends: Tax payments by card can help you reach spending requirements to earn a welcome bonus.
  • Earn rewards: You can earn points or cash back on the transaction.

Cons

  • Fees: The Payment processors used by the IRS charge fees ranging from 1.85% to 1.98% on federal tax payments when using a credit card.
  • Interest: You’ll pay interest on the transaction if you carry a balance.
  • Credit limit: Your credit limit may not cover the full amount of the tax payment.

How To Pay Taxes With Your Credit Card

The IRS doesn’t accept credit card payments directly. Instead, the IRS uses three third-party payment processors to handle tax payments using a debit or credit card. You can make credit card payments online or over the phone. Each payment processor charges a fee on credit card payments:

  • payUSAtax: 1.85% ($2.69 minimum)
  • Pay1040: 1.87% ($2.50 minimum)
  • ACI Payments, Inc.: 1.98% ($2.50 minimum)

Follow the steps below to make a federal tax payment with a credit card:

  1. Visit the IRS website and choose from the payment processors listed.
  2. Click the “Make a Payment” button to navigate to the provider’s website.
  3. Choose between personal and business taxes to make the correct payment.
  4. Follow the prompts to choose the proper tax form.
  5. Enter your personal information and payment amount.
  6. Choose a payment method. If using a credit card, enter your card information.
  7. Verify all of the information is accurate and complete the transaction.

Information you must provide during the payment process includes your full name, Social Security number, date of birth, address and contact information.

Federal taxes aren’t the only type of taxes you can pay with a credit card. Some states allow you to pay state income taxes and business taxes with a credit card. Eligibility, requirements, processors and fees vary between states. Contact your state’s Department of Taxation to ask if they accept credit card payments for taxes. Many states use the website OfficialPayments.com to process state tax payments.

In some cases, counties and cities may accept credit cards for payment of property taxes. Again, you will probably get charged a fee when you pay by credit card. Depending on your location, you may have the option to pay by credit card through a payment portal run by the city or county, a third-party payment processor or in person at your local tax office.


Bottom Line

There are only certain instances where it makes sense to pay your taxes with a credit card. But without any direct tax benefits and added fees, you shouldn’t choose a credit card solely for making tax payments. Consider your overall needs and goals and compare card options from our list and others to find the best fit.

Calculate the fees charged before making a tax payment using a credit card. Ensure the rewards you’ll earn and card benefits outweigh the added expense. Always read all of the fine print before you apply for any credit card.

Find the Best Credit Cards for 2024

No single credit card is the best option for every family, every purchase or every budget. We've picked the best credit cards in a way designed to be the most helpful to the widest variety of readers.


For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

To view rates and fees for The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card please visit this page.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is paying taxes by credit card a good idea?

Typically, it’s better to make direct tax payments to the IRS using other methods rather than paying taxes with a credit card. Processors charge a fee on tax payments made with a credit card, which often negates any rewards earned from the transaction. Generally, should only pay taxes by credit card if the benefits earned outweigh the fees, you’re trying to meet minimum spending requirements to earn a welcome bonus or you need more time to pay your taxes.

What are the downsides to paying your taxes with a credit card?

The IRS uses third-party companies to process credit card tax payments. These companies charge a fee between 1.85% and 1.98% on the total payment when you pay by credit card. If you carry a balance on your credit card, you’ll also get charged interest by the card issuer.

Can I pay my taxes with a credit card on Turbotax?

You can pay your federal taxes with a credit card through TurboTax when you e-file. Intuit TurboTax does not charge a fee when you pay federal taxes through the tax preparation service using a credit card. However, the third-party payment processor used by TurboTax charges a 2.49% convenience fee ($3.95 minimum charge) on the total payment for the service.


Next Up in Credit Cards

*The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by Forbes Advisor: Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business, Capital One Spark Miles for Business. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening!
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,500 in the first 3 months
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