You can pay taxes with a credit card in Canada, including personal income tax and corporate tax. Earning you plenty of points during this CRA tax season.
This is a great way to save money and travel for nearly free with a CRA tax bill that normally wouldn’t count.
The CRA doesn’t accept credit cards directly, but they accept credit card payments through third-party services like Chexy or Plastiq.
Chexy is often the best choice because it has the lowest fees in Canada for tax payments. Plus, you’ll earn Aeroplan points with Chexy.
You’ll want to weigh the service fee against the value of the points you’ll earn for your travel. When timed with a new credit card with a large welcome offer, like the Amex Personal Platinum, Business Platinum or Aeroplan Reserve, it’s an easy way to meet minimum spending quickly.
Paying with your credit card means you’ll turn a CRA tax bill into luxury flights and hotel stays.
Here’s how to pay your CRA tax bill and earn lots of points.
Why Pay Taxes With a Credit Card
Paying your tax, such as personal income tax and corporate tax, with a credit card is a great way to earn points for your next business class flight.
Most people pay via bank transfer and get nothing in return. By using a credit card, you can turn a tax expense into 80,000 to 100,000 points in no time.
Earn Rewards on Large Expenses
Tax bills are often the largest payments you’ll make all year. Instead of letting that money leave your account with zero benefit, you can earn rewards on every dollar.
Since a large tax bill can equal the cost of a round-trip flight to Europe, it makes sense to put it on a travel credit card.
Meet Minimum Spend Instantly
A single tax payment can be enough to meet the entire minimum spending requirement for a new card like the Amex Personal Platinum, Business Platinum or Aeroplan Reserve.
You’ll earn the welcome bonus immediately instead of waiting months for regular shopping to add up.
Leverage the Value of Your Points
You’ll pay a small service fee to use a credit card to pay your personal corporate CRA tax bill, but the math is in your favor if you’re earning a large welcome offer.
Paying via Chexy has the lowest fee at 1.75%. So on a $10,000 tax bill, you’ll pay a $175 fee. However, you’ll earn 80,000 to 100,000 points with the Amex Personal or Business Platinum.
Those points can be transferred to travel partners and redeemed for a business class flight to Europe or Asia worth over $8,000.
Buy Yourself More Time
Using a card like the Amex Business Platinum gives you extra breathing room.
You can get up to 55 interest-free days to pay off your balance, depending on your statement cycle. This helps you keep more cash in your pocket while still meeting your CRA obligations on time.
The AWP Newsletter
Travel more using points
Get my free beginner guide and weekly tips on credit cards, points, and travel loyalty programs.
The AWP Newsletter
Travel more using points
Get my free beginner guide and weekly tips on credit cards, points, and travel loyalty programs.
How to Pay Taxes With a Credit Card
You can pay your taxes with a credit card by using a third-party payment service. These platforms charge your card and send the funds to the CRA on your behalf, allowing you to earn points on every dollar.
Each service charges a fee, usually between 1.75% and 2.85% of the payment amount. Using a service like Chexy is the best option because it has the lowest fee at 1.75%. Plus, you’ll earn Aeroplan points.
You can also use PaySimply or Plastiq, though their fees are higher. You can compare all your options here to find the best one for your specific card.
Steps to Pay Taxes With a Credit Card
I opened an American Express Platinum card right before we had to pay our income tax last March. Using a bill payment service, I paid what I owed with my card.
For a small fee, I met the minimum spending requirement almost instantly and earned 100,000 welcome points.
Those points gave our family a head start on planning our next trip together.
American Express Platinum Cards
Top Offers
Wondering which credit card to get next?
Our recommendations for the best credit card offers in Canada for March 2026.
Top Offers
Wondering which credit card to get next?
Our recommendations for the best credit card offers in Canada for March 2026.
New to Points? Start Here
From points newbie to booking your first trip
Learn everything you need to know to start using credit cards, points, and travel loyalty programs. Make your first redemption with points for nearly free travel.
New to Points? Start Here
From points newbie to booking your first trip
Learn everything you need to know to start using credit cards, points, and travel loyalty programs. Make your first redemption with points for nearly free travel.
Best Cards to Pay Taxes With a Credit Card
The most effective strategy for tax payments is using a new card with a large welcome offer to meet a minimum spending requirement.
Because tax bills are often significant, it’s a great way to earn a lot of value from a welcome bonus of 60,000 to 100,000 points in a single transaction.
If you are not opening a new card, prioritize cards with high baseline earn rates to offset the third-party processing fees.
TheAmex Business Platinum is a valuable option, as it earns a flat 1.25 points per dollar on all purchases. For those focused on airline status, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege earns 1.25 points per dollar and gives you status qualification for every $5,000 spent.
Paying your CRA tax bill with a credit card isn’t recommended if your card only earns 1. It also dosen’t make sense if you aren’t paying the balance immediately, since interest charges will outweigh any benefits.
Top Aeroplan Card Offers
Welcome Points: Elevated 45,000
Welcome Value: $1,819
Annual Fee:$139. 1st Year Rebate
AWP TIP
You may be able to write off bill payment fees as a business expense on your tax return if you’re a business owner.
Award Booking Concierge
Let us find your award flights and hotels
You’ve earned your points! Now let me do all the work of finding the best available award flights and hotels for your next trip.
Award Booking Concierge
Let us find your award flights and hotels
You’ve earned your points! Now let me do all the work of finding the best available award flights and hotels for your next trip.
Bottom Line
Paying your personal or corporate income tax with a credit card is a great way to earn plenty of points quickly.
While the third-party processing fee is a factor, the value of the rewards earned can far exceed that cost. Always pay the balance in full to avoid interest charges.
The benefits stand out even more when you use your tax payment to meet a minimum spending requirement on a new credit card with a large welcome offer.
Timed with a new card, your CRA tax payment can turn your bill into plenty of points for future travel. This includes business class flights and luxury hotel stays.
