If you cannot pay your tax bill on time
If you cannot pay your tax bill on time
Contents
What to do
What to do
Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as soon as possible if you have missed your payment. How you contact HMRC depends on what you need to pay.
You have to pay interest if you pay late. You may avoid penalties by contacting HMRC as soon as possible.
If you cannot pay because of coronavirus (COVID-19)
If you did not make a Self Assessment payment on account due in July 2020, your payment deadline will have been delayed (deferred) until 31 January 2021. You do not have to contact HMRC and will not have to pay a penalty.
Contact the HMRC coronavirus (COVID-19) helpline if you cannot pay any other tax bills because of coronavirus.
If you’re self-employed
If your business has been affected by coronavirus (COVID-19), you may be able to claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
If you cannot pay your Self Assessment tax bill
You can set up a payment plan to spread the cost of your latest Self Assessment bill if:
you owe £30,000 or less
you do not have any other payment plans or debts with HMRC
your tax returns are up to date
it’s less than 60 days after the payment deadline
You do not need to contact HMRC if you set up a payment plan online.
Call the Self Assessment helpline if you’re not eligible for a payment plan or cannot use the online service.
Self Assessment Payment Helpline
Telephone: 0300 200 3822
Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm
If you cannot pay other taxes
You might be able to set up a Time to Pay Arrangement with HMRC if you’re unable to pay any other taxes in full. This lets you spread the cost of your tax bill by paying what you owe in instalments.
How you do this depends on whether you’ve received a payment demand.
If you’ve received a payment demand, like a tax bill or a letter threatening you with legal action, call the HMRC office that sent you the letter.
If you’ve not received a bill or letter, call the Payment Support Service.
Payment Support Service
Telephone: 0300 200 3835
Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm
Nominated partners in business partnerships can negotiate a Time to Pay Arrangement with HMRC on behalf of the partnership or individual partners.