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

A self-employed person normally pays Income Tax and Class 4 National Insurance through Self Assessment. For the 2026/27 tax year, the balancing payment is usually due by 31 January 2028. Payments on account may also be due on 31 January and 31 July.

Use HMRC’s official payment service and the correct Self Assessment reference. The time needed for payment to clear depends on the method, so do not leave a slow payment until the deadline.

Before paying: check the amount due

Sign in to your HMRC online account or use the HMRC app to see the balance, payments on account and any interest or penalties. Compare the figure with your submitted tax calculation. A self-employed bill can include:

• Income Tax on taxable profits and other personal income;
• Class 4 National Insurance;
• a balancing payment for the year just ended;
• the first payment on account for the following year;
• student or postgraduate loan repayments;
• Capital Gains Tax reported through Self Assessment; and
• interest or penalties.

Class 2 National Insurance is generally treated as paid where 2026/27 self-employed profits reach the small-profits threshold, rather than being a normal compulsory charge collected with the return. Voluntary Class 2 can apply in some cases.

Your Self Assessment payment reference

The usual reference is your 10-digit Unique Taxpayer Reference followed by the letter K, making 11 characters. For example, a UTR of 1234567890 becomes 1234567890K. Find it in your HMRC account, payment reminder or paying-in slip.

An incorrect reference can delay allocation and leave the account appearing unpaid. Do not use a Corporation Tax, PAYE or VAT reference for a personal Self Assessment bill.

Ways to pay HMRC

If a deadline falls on a weekend or bank holiday, arrange for cleared funds to reach HMRC by the last working day before it unless HMRC treats the selected online method as paid on the transaction date. Always check the current GOV.UK instructions for your method.

2026/27 payment dates

• 31 January 2028: balancing payment for 2026/27 and first payment on account for 2027/28, where required.
• 31 July 2028: second payment on account for 2027/28, where required.

See the related 2026/27 Self Assessment deadline guide for registration and filing dates.

How payments on account work

Payments on account are advance instalments towards the next year’s Income Tax and Class 4 National Insurance. Each is normally half the relevant previous-year amount. They are generally not required if that amount is below £1,000 or at least 80% of the previous-year tax was collected outside Self Assessment.

If expected income or profit will be lower, you may apply to reduce the instalments. Do not reduce them without a reasonable basis: HMRC charges interest if the reduced amount proves insufficient.

Can you pay weekly or monthly?

An eligible taxpayer can set up an HMRC Budget Payment Plan to make regular Direct Debit payments towards a future Self Assessment bill. It helps with budgeting but does not change the legal due date. Check that the plan will cover the amount due and make a separate top-up if necessary.

If you cannot pay in full

File the return on time even if payment is unaffordable. This avoids late-filing penalties being added to payment charges. Pay as much as possible and contact HMRC promptly about a Time to Pay arrangement. An online plan may be offered where HMRC’s conditions are met; otherwise contact its payment-problems service.

Interest continues until the balance is cleared, and late-payment penalties can arise at 30 days, six months and twelve months. Do not ignore messages or assume an accountant can agree a plan without your authority.

After making the payment

• Save the bank or card confirmation.
• Allow the stated processing time.
• Check the HMRC account shows the payment against the correct year.
• Contact HMRC with the amount, date, method and reference if it is missing.
• Keep proof with the tax records.

Avoid payment scams

Start from GOV.UK, your Personal Tax Account or the HMRC app. HMRC does not require payment by gift card or cryptocurrency. Be cautious with unexpected links, urgent refund messages or altered bank details.

Official guidance

• GOV.UK: pay your Self Assessment tax bill
• GOV.UK: Self Assessment Direct Debit
• GOV.UK: if you cannot pay your tax bill
• GOV.UK: payments on account

This is general guidance. Check your HMRC account and obtain advice if the calculation, allocation or payment plan appears incorrect.