✈ Why You Might Want to Pay Your Taxes With a Credit Card, Global Entry Fee Hike & More Daily News From TPG ✈

April 3, 2024

It's tax time

by Emily Thompson, Partnerships and Newsletter Editor

It’s April, and for many, that means it’s time to pay our taxes.

A question we get asked regularly is whether we recommend paying taxes with a credit card. And, as with most things, the answer is that it depends.

If you’re just earning basic rewards on the purchase, like 1 point or mile per dollar spent, the fee you’ll be charged, which often starts around 1.82%, makes it not worth it in some cases. But, if you are paying with a card that earns rewards on the charge that are worth more than the fee, or the charge is helping unlock a valuable elite status or other spending-related bonus, the equation changes.

For example, I just paid my taxes with a credit card to meet the minimum spending requirement to unlock a sign-up bonus. My bonus was worth over $800, so the value of my rewards far outweighed the fee I was charged.

If you’ve recently opened a card and are trying to earn the bonus quickly, paying your taxes with the card is a great way to meet the spending requirement. If you need a card in your hand to make a payment now, here’s a list of cards that provide an instant credit card number upon approval. And if not, take a look at the cards offering the best welcome offers this month.

Any time you have a major expense coming up — like a big tax bill — is a great time to look at a card with a higher spending requirement than you would typically go for.

For instance, right now, you can earn 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points by meeting the $8,000 spending requirement in the first three months on the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, or 80,000 Membership Rewards points by meeting the $8,000 spending requirement in the first six months on The Platinum Card® from American Express.

If you have to pay a huge tax bill, using it to help you get a big stash of points is our version of making lemonade out of financial lemons.

For more tips, check out these stories:

Happy tax season!

Emily

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Photo Credit: WESTEND61/GETTY IMAGES.

Today’s top stories

Global Entry fee hike is coming: It will soon cost $120 to apply

The cost of Global Entry is rising — application fees will soon be $120.

Alaska Airlines' new 'Global Getaways' feature partner award deals to Maldives, Bali, Fiji

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is launching a new program called Global Getaways focused on cheap partner award redemptions.

Military cruise deals: Save big if you’re a service member, first responder or teacher

Many cruise lines offer discounts and perks for active and retired military members, educators, first responders and medical personnel. Here's a list of offers.

Monthly checklist: Credit card perks and benefits you should be using in April

There are numerous monthly perks and credits you should be using on your credit cards in 2024. We've compiled them here so you won't forget about them.

Barcelona’s most famous landmark, Sagrada Familia church, finally has a completion date

The Basilica de la Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is expected to fully open in 2026.

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5.	Air India Flying Returns program changes are live: Here are your key takeaways

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7.	United credit card promotion (targeted): Earn bonus miles or bonus PQPs

8.	Book it: Fly to St. Croix from Newark, New York City from $252 round-trip

9.	Global Entry ‘e-gates’ are coming to a major airport. It could help set the stage for a kiosk-free future

10.	Brightline extends its buy-one, get-one deal for spring travel

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The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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