A few of us enjoy paying taxes. However, for some of us, this is a fact of life. One way that you can get a little more out of your taxes is to use a credit card when you pay. As long as you plan ahead, and have a strategy for paying off your credit card before you are charged interest, it can be a good thing to pay taxes with a credit card.
Here are three strategies for using credit cards to pay your taxes:
1. Reap the Rewards
If you have a favorite rewards card, it can make sense to use it to pay your taxes. A $3,000 tax bill translates into 3,000 more reward points. If you have a 1.5% cashback card, that could mean another $45 dollars in your pocket. That may not sound like much but is better than $0.
When you use your favorite word card you add to what you’re earning already. Just make sure they pay off your balance before the next billing cycle. You don’t want to be stuck paying interest on your taxes. In my case, paying my taxes with a rewards credit card is just enough to bump me up to a free airplane ticket. I’m a little bit short, and one tax payment can make up the difference.
2. Earn a Signing Bonus
Instead of using a credit card that you already have, you might consider using a brand-new card. If you have a meaning to get a new credit card, look for one with a generous signing bonus. Most of these credit cards with signing bonuses required that you spend a certain amount of money within the first couple of months. If you want to take care of that all at once, paying your taxes with that new credit card can be the solution.
Using your credit card to pay your taxes can mean a signing bonus of between $100 and $350. If you use the points reward card, it can mean as much as 30,000 points. Depending on your program, that can be either a free airline ticket or two free hotel stays.
In order to qualify for these programs, you do need to have good credit. Before you pay her taxes, consider whether or not you might want to apply for one of these cards for the signing bonus.
3. 0% APR
If you’re hoping to make your tax payments more manageable with the help of installments, a 0% APR introductory offer might be the way to go. Yes, the IRS offers installment plans. However, these do cost money. If you can qualify for a 0% APR credit card, it makes sense to do that instead.
Create a plan to make sure that you pay off your credit card before the promotional APR expires. You will be able to enjoy a more manageable payment plan, without the fees. Plus, with some credit card, you still get the rewards and even a signing bonus.
As long as you’re careful to avoid the pitfalls of paying taxes of credit cards, you can come out ahead by using your rewards card to pay your bill to Uncle Sam.