Why paying taxes by credit card probably isn’t a good idea

A big tax bill is like hay fever . You don’t want it, you try to avoid it — and then April rolls around and it hits you hard. Now you have to figure out how to take care of it.

Taxes have to be paid, and putting them on your credit card might seem a good option. Maybe you need more time to come up with the money, or you’re imagining the rewards you could rack up by putting a big expense on your card. But paying the IRS with plastic probably isn’t a good idea, and here’s why.

MATT ROURKE — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE Using plastic to pay income taxes might seem like a great option, particularly if you want to rack up rewards or need more time to come up with the money. But the downside, such as the cost of fees and interest, may negate any pluses.