Paying the taxman is never fun but there's no getting around it. For those who must pay the IRS whether it's annual income tax payments, quarterly estimated taxes, or business tax payments, there's a new way to do it. Taxpayers are able to pay online using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System or EFTPS Web site.

Using this Web site is different than filing your taxes online using eFile. You will still need to file the appropriate paperwork however you can use this Web site to pay the tax payments instantly and securely. Using the EFTPS means that you can make your payment the day before the deadline (by 8:00PM Eastern Time) and not have to worry about getting a postmark.

In addition, you can schedule regular tax payments so that you'll never miss another deadline or be penalized for late payments. This option is particularly convenient for taxpayers who must make regular quarterly payments.

Unlike eFiling, using this system won't cost you a dime. It's free. But you will need to plan ahead in order to ensure your first payment meets the deadline. The enrollment process takes about fifteen business days. You'll first need to enroll by either filling out an online form or calling the EFTPS Customer Service number for an enrollment form.

New businesses who request an EIN that will also have Federal tax deposits are automatically pre-enrolled. They will receive a notice in the mail along with a PIN number and an 800 number that they will need to call in order to activate their enrollment.

When enrolling, you will need your Taxpayer ID Number or Employer Identification Number, financial institution's routing transit number, your account number, and your account type. You'll enter this information along with other necessary information such as your address and phone number. If enrolling online, you will need to digitally sign an agreement. This page is a little finicky, for example, it doesn't appear to accept any punctuation marks following your middle initial. If you get a warning about how your name is entered, try dropping any punctuation.

After you've accepted the terms, you will receive an Enrollment Trace Number that you can use if you have any questions about the status of your enrollment. Once enrolled, you'll receive a confirmation package, a PIN number, and instructions on how to get an internet password.

The types of tax payments that the EFTPS accepts include both business and individual tax payments:

You can use EFTPS either online via their Web site or you can access it by phone. The Web site is located at http://www.eftps.gov and their phone numbers are:

This free and secure program is run by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.