Search Icon

Need a call back?

Simply fill out the form below and we'll call you.

Arrange a Chat
Validation

Give us a call!

Get in touch, we want to hear from you.

Northern Ireland +44(0) 28 9024 3131

Upload your CV

Be a part of our team at FPM, simply fill out the form below.

Upload CV
File Upload

Maximum file size: 67.11MB

Validation

Upload your CV

Be a part of our team at FPM, simply fill out the form below.

Upload CV Single Post
File Upload

Maximum file size: 67.11MB

Validation

26 July 2016

Paying HMRC by credit card

Question.

I plan to make my July tax payment on account for my income tax bill by credit card. Are there any problems with that?

Answer:

No, but there are a few things you need to be aware of. As it is for your income tax/ self- assessment, make sure you use your 10-digit Unique Taxpayer Reference followed by the letter ‘K’ as your payment reference.

There’s also a fee if you pay HMRC by credit card that isn’t refundable. This applies whatever the tax is that you’re paying. HMRC have changed the fees for using a credit card from 1st April 2016. These replace the former 1.5% fee. The new rates vary depending on the type of card used and whether the card is a personal or corporate card. The fees for paying using personal credit cards have been reduced and the rates for corporate credit cards have increased.

The deadlines for paying your tax bill are:

  • 31 January – for any tax you owe for the previous tax year (known as a balancing payment) and your first payment on account
  • 31 July for your second payment on account

If you prefer to pay regularly throughout the year, you can use a budget payment plan.

There are a number of ways to pay your tax bill but it is very important to make sure you pay HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) by the deadline. You’ll be charged interest and may have to pay a penalty if your payment is late.

The time you need to allow depends on how you pay.

Same or next day

  • Online or telephone banking (Faster Payments)
  • CHAPS
  • By debit or credit card online
  • At your bank or building society
  • At the Post Office

You need a paying-in slip from HMRC to pay at a bank, building society or Post Office.

3 working days

  • Bacs
  • Direct Debit (if you’ve set one up with HMRC before)
  • by cheque through the post

5 working days

  • Direct Debit (if you haven’t set one up with HMRC before)

If the deadline falls on a weekend or bank holiday, make sure your payment reaches HMRC on the last working day before (unless you’re paying by Faster Payments or by debit or credit card).

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) no longer uses BillPay. You’ll be directed to a new service to pay your tax online and you will have to use your 10-digit Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) followed by the letter ‘K’ as your payment reference. You’ll find it either:

  • In your HMRC online account
  • On your paying-in slip, if you get paper statements

HMRC will accept your payment on the date you make it, not the date it reaches their account – including on bank holidays and weekends.

From 1 January 2016, HMRC will limit the number of times you can use a credit or debit card within a certain time to pay your tax. There isn’t a set limit – it depends on HMRC’s view of what’s reasonable based on payment card industry standards and guidance. The rules apply to multiple card payments against the same tax – you can only make extra card payments if each one’s for a different tax, eg Corporation Tax and employers’ PAYE. If you’re unable to pay your Self-Assessment tax bill in full by card, you should use another payment method like a bank transfer.

The advice above is specific to the facts surrounding the questions posed. Neither FPM nor the contributors accept any liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from any reliance placed on replies.
Share This on

Newsletter Signup

Stay up to date with the lastest news from FPM.

news
Validation