General Information about Individual Income Tax Electronic Filing and Paying

Filing and paying taxes electronically is a fast-growing alternative to mailing paper returns and payments. The Missouri Department of Revenue received more than 398,200 electronic payments in 2020. The Department also received more than 2.8 million electronically filed returns in 2020. Convenience, accuracy, and the ability to direct deposit your refund are just a few of the reasons why electronic filing is becoming one of the Department's most popular filing methods.

Special Note

A penalty may be assessed on any return not filed by the due date.

Filing Online

Electronic filing works in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) Electronic Filing System. Taxpayers can electronically file from a computer, or by using a tax preparer who is an approved Electronic Return Originator (ERO). The state return is transmitted to the IRS along with the federal return. When the federal return is accepted, an acknowledgment (electronic confirmation) is sent from the IRS. The IRS then transmits the state return information to the Department. When the state return is accepted, an acknowledgment is sent from the Department.

The Department has entered into an agreement with certain software providers to offer free online filing services to qualified Missouri taxpayers. This agreement is called Free File Alliance. Through this agreement, taxpayers can file their Federal and Missouri state income tax returns using approved software.

Benefits of Electronic Filing

  • Convenience – You can electronically file 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Security – Your tax return information is encrypted and transmitted over secure lines to ensure confidentiality.
  • Accuracy – Electronically filed returns have 13 percent fewer errors than paper returns.
  • Direct Deposit – You can have your refund direct deposited into your bank account.
  • Proof of Filing – An acknowledgment is issued when your return is received and accepted.

Paying Online

The Missouri Department of Revenue accepts online payments — including extension and estimated tax payments — using a credit card or eCheck. An eCheck is an easy and secure method to pay your individual income taxes by electronic bank draft.

  • eCheck - You will need your routing number and checking or savings account number. There will be a handling fee of $0.50 to use this service. Please allow 3-4 business days for eCheck transactions to apply to your tax account. Please note that your payment will be postmarked the date you submitted payment, unless your payment is scheduled for a future date.

  • Debit & Credit Card - The Department accepts MasterCard, Discover, Visa, and American Express. Debit cards are accepted and processed as credit cards. Please allow 5-6 business days for debit and credit card transactions to apply to your tax account. Please note that your payment will be postmarked the date you submit payment. There will be a convenience fee of 2.0% + $0.25 per card transaction.

Pay Online (leaving dor.mo.gov webspace)

NOTE: The convenience fees included in these transactions is paid to the third party vendor, NCR Payments (formerly JetPay Inc.), not to the Missouri Department of Revenue. This includes their right to electronically debit a service charge in the amount of $25, if applicable, for processing of an Insufficient Funds or Closed Account transaction from your designated bank account, in addition to whatever charges your bank may assess. By accessing this filing and payment system, the user will be leaving Missouri's website and connected to the website of NCR Payments. The website of NCR Payments is a secure and confidential website.