How to File Form 720 Online
To file Form 720 online, you go through a provider in the IRS e-file program for excise taxes. You enter your figures, sign electronically, and the return goes to the IRS, which then sends an acknowledgment. The IRS doesn’t require e-filing for Form 720, but this route replaces the printing and mailing, and it adds automated checks before the return is accepted.
The next deadline is Monday, November 2, 2026, for July through September. The October through December return is due Monday, February 1, 2027. Here is the full process, from the paperwork you collect to what happens after you submit.
What should you have ready before you start?
Most of the time spent on a Form 720 goes into collecting figures, not typing them. Pull these first.
- Your EIN and the legal name tied to it. The IRS e-file rules compare them with its own records (more on that below).
- The quarter you are filing. Rates can differ by period, so the quarter matters.
- Your amount for each IRS No. That could be gallons, tires, premiums paid, tax collected, or average covered lives for the PCORI fee.
- Net liability by semimonthly period, if you have Part I taxes. This goes on Schedule A.
- Deposits made for the quarter, if any, and whether you used the safe harbor rule.
- Any overpayment from your last return that you applied to this one.
- Schedule C claim details, if you are claiming a credit. These include the period of claim, type of use, and gallons.
- Refund bank details, if you expect an overpayment and want it deposited.
- Who signs. Form 720 must be signed by a person authorized by the entity.
Don’t have an EIN yet? You can apply for one on the IRS site. Preparers working from a client intake list can use the Form 720 client checklist.
How to file Form 720 online, step by step
This is how the process runs with EasyFile720’s online Form 720 filing.
- Create an account. It is free and needs no credit card to start.
- Enter your business details. Preparers can file for multiple client businesses under one account.
- Pick out your taxes. Part I and Part II categories are covered. Work on the ones that apply to you.
- Enter your figures. Rates for the return are built in, and the math is calculated for you once your figures are in.
- Complete any schedules. Schedule A for Part I liability, Schedule C for claims, and Schedule T for two-party fuel exchanges.
- Fix what the validations flag. They catch common mistakes before you submit.
- Sign and pay. You sign electronically and pay the filing fee when you file.
- Watch for the acknowledgment. You get an electronic acknowledgment from the IRS once the return is accepted, and your past returns stay saved in your account.
What does the IRS check when an e-filed return arrives?
The IRS publishes a list of business rules for e-filed returns, and a return that breaks a rule marked “Reject” is turned back. These are worth knowing before you submit. All come from the 2026 Q4 rules publication.
| Rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| R0000-922-01 | Your EIN and name control must match the IRS e-file database, unless the name change box applies. Use the name the IRS has on file for that EIN. |
| R0000-914-01 | You can't e-file for an EIN, return type, and quarter that already has an accepted electronic return. |
| F720-038-01 and F720-039-01 | Line 10 or line 11 must equal the difference between line 3 and line 9. |
| F720-155-03 | Tax on listed Part I lines with an empty Schedule A is rejected, unless the one-time gas guzzler box is checked. |
| F720-222 | IRS No. 150 must equal the total tax across the attached Forms 7208. |
Leave yourself some time before the deadline, so that if a return is rejected you can correct the data and submit it again.
How do you pay the tax itself?
Filing and paying are separate acts, and the IRS offers several ways to pay a balance on line 10.
- IRS Direct Pay, from a checking or savings account, at no cost.
- EFTPS, online or by phone, with no fee. You must be enrolled.
- Electronic Funds Withdrawal (direct debit), an IRS option when filing electronically.
- Debit card, credit card, or digital wallet, through service providers that charge a fee.
- Check or money order, sent with Form 720-V.
All IRS payment options are listed at IRS.gov/Payments. You don’t have to pay if line 10 is under $1.00. And if you pay by Direct Pay, EFTPS, or direct debit, don’t file Form 720-V.
What does filing online cost?
The IRS says you pay the provider’s service fee for online submission. Here is the EasyFile720 pricing. Full details are on the pricing page.
| Option | Price | Good fit |
|---|---|---|
| Per filing | $39.95 per filing | Occasional filers, such as a business filing once a year |
| Full Year Plan | $139.99 per business for 4 filing credits ($35.00 a filing) | Businesses filing every quarter. Credits never expire and can be used for any of your businesses |
If you are ready, read the Form 720 overview to confirm your lines, then create your account and start with your business details. You don’t pay until you file.
FAQ
Can I e-file Form 720 directly on the IRS website?▼
The IRS page on excise e-filing says to select an approved Modernized e-File provider and pay that provider's service fee for online submission. It does not describe a way to submit Form 720 directly on IRS.gov.
Does the provider fee cover the tax I owe?▼
No. The $39.95 EasyFile720 filing fee is a charge for filing. Any excise tax you owe is a separate amount owed to the IRS.
Can a bookkeeper or preparer file for several businesses?▼
Yes. Preparers can file for multiple client businesses under one EasyFile720 account. A paid preparer who is not an employee of the filer must also complete the Paid Preparer section.
What if I find a mistake after the IRS accepts my return?▼
Corrections to an earlier quarter go on Form 720-X. The instructions say not to enter adjustments for prior quarters on Form 720.
File Form 720 online
Create a free account with no credit card and build your return. You pay $39.95 only when you file. EasyFile720 is an IRS-authorized e-file provider, and you get an acknowledgment when the IRS accepts your return.
Sources: Instructions for Form 720 (Rev. June 2026); Form 720 (Rev. June 2026); IRS Excise Tax e-File and Compliance page; IRS 720 Business Rules Publication 2026 Q4 v1.0. General information, not tax advice. Confirm how the rules apply to you with a qualified advisor or the IRS.
