Washington — With more than one million tax payments already processed this year through IRS Direct Pay, the Internal Revenue Service today encouraged anyone facing upcoming tax payment deadlines to consider choosing this free online system to quickly and easily pay what they owe.

“Direct Pay is the latest addition to our growing array of online tools designed to serve taxpayers better,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “Direct Pay simplifies the payment process, enabling people to quickly and easily make a secure payment from the convenience of a home computer.”

More than one million tax payments totaling over $1.7 billion have been received from individual taxpayers since Direct Pay debuted earlier this year. Available through the Pay Your Tax Bill  icon on IRS.gov, Direct Pay allows individuals to e-pay their tax bills or make quarterly estimated tax payments directly from checking or savings accounts without any fees or pre-registration.

With tax correspondence season now in full swing, many taxpayers recently received notices for unpaid taxes from the IRS. Direct Pay offers these taxpayers an easy way to quickly pay these tax bills without having to write a check, buy a stamp or find a mailbox.

Because Direct Pay allows taxpayers to schedule payments up to 30 days in advance, now is also a good time for those who are making estimated tax payments for 2014 to set up their third quarter payment due Sept. 15. In addition, anyone who received an extension until Oct. 15 to file their 2013 federal return and now finds they owe additional tax can also use Direct Pay to e-pay the additional amount due.

Direct Pay is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Any taxpayer who uses the system receives instant confirmation that their payment was submitted. More information about Direct Pay can be found on IRS.gov.

Direct Pay cannot be used to pay business taxes. Taxpayers who wish to e-pay their federal business taxes should enroll in the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), or click on the Pay Your Tax Bill icon to check out other payment options.

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service will hold a free webinar this week designed to help individuals, especially owners of home-based businesses,  see if they  qualify for the home office deduction.

The webinar, entitled Business Use of Your Home, will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 10 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Time.  Topics include the new simplified  and regular methods for claiming the home office deduction, qualification requirements and types of eligible expenses.

This webinar may be particularly helpful for small business owners and their tax preparers who are planning ahead for tax-year 2014. To register or view archived versions of past webinars, visit the Webinars for Small Businesses page on IRS.gov.