How can I pay tax online?

You can pay tax online through your Personal Tax Account, the HMRC app, or your bank's online banking service. You will need HMRC's bank details and your correct payment reference number.

Can I pay my tax bill monthly?

Yes. You can set up a Direct Debit to pay monthly, or arrange a Time to Pay plan if you cannot pay the full amount.

How do I check how much tax I owe?

You can check your tax liability through your Personal Tax Account, your tax calculation, or your P800. If you are employed, check your payslip for your tax code and PAYE deductions.

What are self assessment payment details?

For Self Assessment, your payment reference is your 10-digit UTR followed by the letter K. HMRC's bank details are available on the official government website.

Can I pay income tax by direct debit?

Yes. You can set up a Direct Debit to pay your Self Assessment tax bill automatically on the due date or by monthly instalments.

What happens if I miss a tax payment?

If you miss a tax payment, you may face interest charges and late payment penalties. Contact HMRC as soon as possible to discuss a Time to Pay arrangement.

Can HMRC arrange a payment plan?

Yes. HMRC can arrange a Time to Pay arrangement if you cannot pay your tax bill in full. For bills up to £30,000, you can set this up online. You must contact them before the payment deadline.

How Can I Pay Tax? The Complete UK Guide for 2026

Q: Can I pay tax without a Personal Tax Account?

Yes. You can pay tax without a Personal Tax Account using bank transfer, Direct Debit, cheque, or in-person bank payments. A Personal Tax Account is helpful but not required.

How can I pay tax in the UK? Learn about online payments, Direct Debit, bank transfers, and payment plans. Discover how to check your tax bill and avoid HMRC penalties.

Paying tax in the United Kingdom is a legal obligation for most adults. Whether you are employed, self-employed, or retired, understanding how to pay your tax correctly and on time is essential. HMRC offers several payment methods, from online banking and Direct Debit to payment plans for those who cannot afford to pay in full.

This guide explains everything you need to know about how to pay tax in the UK. It covers payment methods, deadlines, what to do if you cannot pay, and answers to common questions.

For a full overview of your tax obligations, our Self Assessment complete guide covers the filing process. If you are employed and want to check your deductions, our UK tax codes guide explains how your tax code works.

You can pay tax in the UK through multiple methods including online banking, Direct Debit, debit card, and bank transfer. Self Assessment tax returns are usually due by 31 January. If you cannot pay in full, HMRC offers Time to Pay arrangements.

How Can I Pay Tax

HMRC offers several payment methods. The method you choose depends on the type of tax you are paying and your personal preference.

Online banking - You can pay HMRC by bank transfer. To ensure your payment is allocated correctly, you must use the correct payment reference number. This varies depending on the tax type. Before making any payment, always check the latest HMRC bank details and payment references on the official GOV.UK website.

Direct Debit - You can set up a Direct Debit to pay your Self Assessment tax bill automatically. You can choose to pay the full amount on the due date, or set up monthly instalments.

Debit card - You can pay by personal debit card through your Personal Tax Account. Personal debit cards are accepted without any additional fees. Corporate debit cards may incur a processing fee. Check HMRC's current card payment policy before making a payment, as rules can change.

At your bank - You can pay in person at your bank or building society using an HMRC payslip, if your bank or building society offers this service.

Cheque - You can pay by cheque. Cheques must be made payable to 'HM Revenue and Customs only' and sent to the address on your tax return. Allow 3 working days for your payment to reach HMRC.

Our step-by-step guide on how to pay HMRC online provides detailed instructions for each payment method.

Payment methods include online banking, Direct Debit, personal debit card, in-person bank payments, and cheque. Always check HMRC's current payment policies before making a payment.

Quick Reference: Tax Types and Payment Methods

Tax Type	How Usually Paid	Payment Reference
Income Tax (PAYE)	Through payroll	N/A
Self Assessment	HMRC payment methods	Depends on reporting method by K
VAT	VAT online account	9-digit VAT registration number
Corporation Tax	Bank transfer to HMRC	10-digit UTR followed by C
Capital Gains Tax	HMRC property account or Self Assessment	UTR followed by K

Different tax types require different payment references. Always check the specific reference for the tax you are paying.

Income tax through PAYE is deducted automatically. Self Assessment uses your UTR followed by K. VAT uses your 9-digit registration number. Corporation Tax uses your UTR followed by C.

Paying Tax Online

Paying tax online is the quickest and most convenient method. You can pay online through your Personal Tax Account or the HMRC app.

Your Personal Tax Account allows you to check your tax code, view your tax calculation, pay your tax bill, set up Direct Debit, and view your tax history. The HMRC app offers similar functionality on the go, letting you manage your taxes directly from your phone.

You can also pay HMRC through your bank's online banking service. You will need HMRC's bank details and your correct payment reference number. A Government Gateway account is required to access your Personal Tax Account.

Pay tax online through your Personal Tax Account, the HMRC app, or your bank's online banking service. A Government Gateway account is required to access your Personal Tax Account.

Can I Pay Tax Without a Personal Tax Account

Yes. You can pay tax without a Personal Tax Account using several methods:

Bank transfer - You can pay HMRC directly through your bank using online banking, telephone banking, or in person at your bank branch.

Direct Debit - You can set up a Direct Debit for Self Assessment payments through your tax return or by contacting HMRC.

By cheque - You can send a cheque to HMRC with the correct payment reference.

At your bank - You can pay in person at your bank or building society if they offer counter services for HMRC payments.

These methods do not require a Personal Tax Account. However, a Personal Tax Account makes it easier to check your tax liability, view your calculation, and confirm your payment has been received.

You can pay tax without a Personal Tax Account using bank transfer, Direct Debit, cheque, or in-person bank payments. A Personal Tax Account is helpful but not required.

Self Assessment Payment Details

When paying your Self Assessment tax, you need the correct payment reference number. This ensures your payment is allocated to your tax account correctly.

Your payment reference is your 10-digit Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) followed by the letter 'K'. For example, if your UTR is 1234567890, your payment reference is 1234567890K. You can find your UTR on your tax return, your tax calculation, or any letters from HMRC.

Other tax types such as PAYE, VAT, and Corporation Tax use different payment reference numbers. Always check the specific reference for the tax you are paying.

HMRC's bank details for Self Assessment payments are available on the official GOV.UK website. Always check the current details before making a payment.

For Self Assessment, your payment reference is your 10-digit UTR followed by the letter K. Other tax types use different references. Always check HMRC's current bank details before paying.

Tax Payment Deadlines

Missing tax payment deadlines can result in penalties and interest charges. Understanding the key deadlines helps you avoid unnecessary costs.

Self Assessment - The paper tax return deadline is 31 October. The online tax return and payment deadline is 31 January. The usual deadline is 31 January following the end of the tax year.

PAYE - PAYE payments are due monthly by the 22nd of the following month.

Corporation Tax - Corporation Tax is due 9 months and 1 day after the end of your accounting period.

VAT - VAT payments are due 1 month and 7 days after the end of your VAT period.

If you miss the payment deadline, you may face interest on the outstanding amount, late payment penalties, and fines for late filing. For current deadlines and rates, always check the official GOV.UK website.

Self Assessment is usually due by 31 January. PAYE is due monthly by the 22nd. Corporation Tax is due 9 months and 1 day after the accounting period end. Late payment triggers penalties and interest.

Pay Taxes in Payments: Time to Pay Arrangement

If you cannot afford to pay your tax bill in full, you may be able to set up a Time to Pay arrangement with HMRC. This allows you to pay your tax debt in instalments.

HMRC's Time to Pay service helps Self Assessment customers spread the cost of their tax bill over monthly instalments. For bills of up to £30,000, such an arrangement can be set up online without even needing to contact HMRC directly.

To set up a Time to Pay arrangement, you must file your Self Assessment return first, have a tax bill of £30,000 or less, and arrange the plan online through HMRC's service. If the tax owed is more than £30,000, or a longer repayment period is needed, you will need to contact HMRC directly.

Contacting HMRC before the payment deadline is essential. Do not wait until after the deadline to seek help.

Our guide to paying HMRC online covers the practical steps for making your payment.

If you cannot pay your tax bill in full, contact HMRC to set up a Time to Pay arrangement. For bills up to £30,000, you can set this up online. You must file your return first and act before the deadline.

What Happens If You Cannot Pay

If you cannot pay your tax bill, there are several options available to help you avoid penalties and interest charges.

HMRC offers Time to Pay arrangements for those who cannot pay in full, as covered above. This is the most common solution for tax payment difficulties.

Do not ignore the problem. Contact HMRC as soon as you know you will have difficulty paying. HMRC is generally willing to help taxpayers who have genuine financial difficulties and contact them before the deadline.

If you are struggling with tax debt, consider speaking to a tax adviser, accountant, or debt charity such as StepChange for free, impartial advice.

If you cannot pay, contact HMRC early to set up a Time to Pay arrangement. Do not ignore the problem. Seek professional advice if needed.

Final Thoughts

Paying tax in the UK does not have to be complicated. With multiple payment methods available, including online banking, Direct Debit, and debit card, you can choose the option that suits you best.

The most important rule is to pay on time. Missing deadlines can result in penalties and interest charges that increase your overall tax bill.

If you cannot afford to pay in full, contact HMRC as soon as possible to discuss a Time to Pay arrangement. For bills up to £30,000, you can set this up online without contacting HMRC directly.

Use your Personal Tax Account to check your tax liability, view your tax calculation, and make payments. Set up a Direct Debit to avoid missing deadlines, or consider monthly instalments to spread the cost.

All information in this guide is based on official HMRC and GOV.UK sources. Readers should verify current payment methods, bank details, and rates directly with HMRC before making decisions, as these may change after publication.