How to Pay Your Self Assessment Tax Bill: 2026/27 Guide

Pay a Self Assessment bill using HMRC’s online service, bank transfer, Direct Debit, debit card or another approved method. Use the 10-digit UTR followed by “K” as the payment reference and ensure cleared funds reach HMRC by the deadline.

Main payment deadlines

• 31 January: balancing payment for the previous tax year and first payment on account for the current year;
• 31 July: second payment on account where required.

For 2026/27, the normal balancing-payment and first-payment-on-account deadline is 31 January 2028.

Ways to pay

Availability and timing can change. Start from GOV.UK and verify HMRC bank details before sending money.

Payment reference

Use the Self Assessment UTR followed by “K”, normally without spaces. A wrong reference can leave money unallocated and interest continuing on the intended debt. Do not use a Corporation Tax, employer PAYE or VAT reference.

What are payments on account?

They are advance payments toward the next year’s Income Tax and Class 4 National Insurance. Each is usually half of the previous year’s qualifying liability. They normally apply where less than 80% of tax was collected at source and the relevant amount exceeds £1,000.

Read how payments on account work.

Can payments on account be reduced?

Yes, if the current year’s qualifying liability will genuinely be lower. Reduce them through the tax return or HMRC online account. If reduced too far, late-payment interest applies to the shortfall from the original due date.

Paying through PAYE

HMRC may collect an eligible amount through a future PAYE code if:

• the online return is submitted by the earlier coding deadline;
• the debt is within HMRC’s current limit;
• there is enough PAYE income to collect it safely;
• other eligibility conditions are met.

This is not guaranteed and does not remove the return-filing requirement.

Budget Payment Plan

A taxpayer whose returns and previous payments are up to date can make weekly or monthly advance Direct Debit payments toward the next bill. It is a savings mechanism, not a Time to Pay arrangement for overdue tax.

Paying from overseas

Use HMRC’s overseas bank account for Self Assessment and the correct reference. Allow for currency conversion, intermediary charges and bank cut-off times. HMRC must receive the full sterling amount.

How to check the payment

1. Save the bank or card confirmation.
2. Record the exact payment reference.
3. Check the Self Assessment online account after processing.
4. Reconcile payments on account and earlier credits.
5. Contact HMRC about unallocated or duplicated money.

What if you cannot pay?

File the return on time, pay what you can and contact HMRC. An affordable Time to Pay arrangement may be available. Interest normally continues and late-payment penalties can arise.

See HMRC Time to Pay guidance.

Interest and penalties

Late-payment interest runs from the due date. Self Assessment late-payment penalties can arise at 30 days, 6 months and 12 months, normally calculated as a percentage of unpaid tax. Filing penalties are separate, so submit even when payment is impossible.

Refunds and credits

Check whether HMRC already holds payments on account, PAYE credits, CIS deductions or an earlier overpayment. A credit shown in one HMRC tax account is not always automatically moved to another liability.

Fraud warning

HMRC does not demand payment in gift cards or cryptocurrency. Do not follow bank details in an unexpected text or email. Navigate directly to GOV.UK or the Personal Tax Account.

Payment checklist

• file the return and confirm the final liability;
• check payments on account and credits;
• use UTR plus “K”;
• allow the method’s processing time;
• retain confirmation;
• verify allocation online;
• contact HMRC early if payment is difficult.

Related self-employed guidance

Sole traders can also use our self-employed tax bill guide for 2026/27, which explains how trading profit, Class 4 National Insurance and payments on account combine in the bill.

Official guidance

• HMRC: pay Self Assessment
• HMRC: payments on account

This guide is general information. Use HMRC’s live service for current bank details and processing times.