If you owe taxes to the CRA or Revenu Quebec, now’s the time to take action—the deadline is coming up fast on April 30, 2025. We get it: tax payments can be a big hit to your wallet, and it’s tempting to put them off. But what if you could earn rewards and get more time to pay?

Thanks to Chexy, you can now use your American Express credit card to pay your income taxes, with a low fee and the chance to earn points or cashback. In this post, we’ll show you exactly how it works and how to make the most of your American Express card during tax season.

Can You Pay Income Taxes with American Express?

Yes, with Chexy Tax, you can use your American Express credit card to pay your CRA or Revenu Quebec income taxes. Until now, there hasn’t been an affordable way to make a lump sum tax payment and earn rewards. But with Chexy, you can.

You can also use Chexy to pay your one-time or recurring bills and rent with your American Express card. 

Chexy charges just a 1.75% fee for paying taxes with your credit card—the lowest rate in Canada. And if you don’t have an American Express card, you can still use Chexy to pay your taxes. Here’s how. 

Why Pay Taxes with Your Amex Card?

You probably dread paying your taxes, right? We all do. Using a credit card that earns you cashback, rewards points, or travel miles can take the edge off a little, as you know you’re earning something back. 

Here are just a few reasons why you should pay your income taxes with an American Express credit card: 

• Earn Big Rewards: Using your Amex to pay taxes lets you rack up points, cashback, or travel rewards on money you were going to spend anyway. Some of the best American Express cards to use for your taxes will earn you Aeroplan or Membership Rewards points, which you can turn into a free flight or use to offset the cost of living. 

• Fast Track Your Welcome Bonus: New American Express cards often come with generous welcome offers of up to 100,000 points or even more, but they usually require you to spend $5,000 to $10,000 in the first few months. One large tax payment can get you there pretty fast. 

• Convenience: Paying with your Amex is easy and secure–you don’t have to move money around or worry about having enough in your bank account right away. Plus, you’ll have a few extra weeks before your statement is due, giving you a bit more breathing room to plan your finances. 

• Build Your Credit: Using your card responsibly, especially for big payments like taxes, can help boost your credit score. Just be sure you have the funds ready to pay it off in full when the balance is due so you can avoid interest charges. 

How to Pay Your Income Taxes with Amex and Chexy Tax 

Paying taxes with Amex and Chexy is easy. All you need to do is: 

1. Log into your Chexy Dashboard and choose “Pay Income Taxes.” Here, you can make a one-time payment to the CRA or Revenu Quebec. You can also make installment payments or pay an outstanding balance. 

2. Choose which type of tax you need to pay.

3. Enter the payment code, then the payment amount. 

4. Enter your personal info, credit card details, and follow the steps to verify your identity if you are a new Chexy user. 

5. Make sure your American Express card is selected, or input the details for a new card. 

6. Your card will be charged, and the amount you owe will be sent to the CRA or Revenu Quebec 2 business days later. 

*Note that the payment may not appear in your CRA or Revenu Quebec account for up to 8 business days, so don’t wait until the very last minute. Pay your taxes ASAP to avoid late penalties! 

Best American Express Cards to Use for Paying Taxes

American Express has a large lineup of rewards credit cards. Which is best for paying taxes depends on what you value most–Aeroplan points, Membership Rewards points, or cashback. 

In these examples, let’s assume we’re paying an $8,000 tax bill. We’ll calculate how many points or cashback you’ll earn after the 1.75% Chexy fee. 

Best for Travel Rewards: American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

Annual Fee: $599

Earn Rate: 1.25x Aeroplan points 

At a 1.25x earn rate, you’ll earn 10,000 Aeroplan points (a value of about $210 in travel rewards) after fees. 

This card offers a generous signup bonus–at the time of writing, you can earn 85,000 Aeroplan points just by spending $7,500 on your card within the first 3 months. 

In addition to the points, this card includes amazing Air Canada benefits, including priority airport treatment, free checked bags, travel insurance, and Maple Leaf Lounge access. 

Best for Earning Flexible Points: American Express Cobalt Card 

Annual Fee: $155.88 (or $12.99 monthly)

Earn Rate: 1x Membership Rewards points 

At a 1x earn rate, you’ll earn 7,860 Membership Rewards points for an $8,000 tax bill (after Chexy fees). If you convert them to Aeroplan (the best way to use your points), you’ll have a value of about $165.06. 

With the current signup bonus, you could earn up to 15,000 points in the first year. 

Best for a Flat Earn Rate: SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express

Annual Fee: $119.88 (or $9.99 monthly)

Earn Rate: 2% cash back

With no limit to the amount of cashback you can earn, this card is great if you simply want a flat rate of cash back. With an $8,000 tax bill, you’ll earn $22.80 after Chexy fees. 

While the cashback return isn’t huge after the fee, the SimplyCash Preferred is still a solid choice—especially if it’s your first American Express card or you’re not eligible for premium rewards cards just yet.

With the current signup bonus, you could earn up to $250 on top of what you’ll earn for everyday purchases. 

Don’t Miss the Tax Deadline: Pay Smarter with Chexy + Amex

With the April 30th tax deadline fast approaching, now’s the time to take action. Whether you owe a little or a lot, waiting until the last minute could mean late fees and penalties–which you don’t want. 

Using an American Express credit card with Chexy is a smart way to pay your taxes. You’ll earn valuable rewards or cashback, unlock massive welcome bonuses, and give yourself some breathing room before your card payment is due.

Just remember: Chexy payments can take up to 8 business days to be reflected in your CRA or Revenu Quebec account—so don’t wait. Get ahead of the deadline and make your payment today.

Ready to earn rewards on your tax bill? Get started with Chexy Tax now.

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