How to Pay HMRC
Once you know how much you owe, you need to pay HMRC by the deadline. This article explains the available payment methods and how to make sure your payment is processed correctly.
Provestor doesn't handle payments
Provestor cannot make tax payments on your behalf. Our job ends when your final declaration is submitted to HMRC.
You must pay HMRC directly using one of their approved payment methods.
Available payment methods
HMRC accepts several payment methods. The fastest and most reliable are:
- Online or telephone banking (Faster Payments)
- Debit card (online through HMRC's website)
- Direct Debit (if set up in advance)
- CHAPS (same-day bank transfer)
You can also pay by:
- Cheque through the post (allow at least three working days)
- At your bank or building society
For full details of all payment methods, see HMRC's guidance on paying your Self Assessment tax bill.
Finding your payment reference
You need a unique payment reference to ensure HMRC credits your payment to the correct account.
Your payment reference is your 11-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 correspondence from HMRC
- In your HMRC online account
- On your tax return
Paying by bank transfer
Bank transfer is the most common way to pay. Your bank may have HMRC's account details, otherwise you can see HMRC's guidance on paying your Self Assessment tax bill.
Payment reference: Your 11-digit UTR followed by K
Make sure you enter your payment reference correctly. If you don't include it, or enter it incorrectly, HMRC may not be able to match your payment to your account.
Paying online by debit card
You can pay online through HMRC's website using a debit card.
- Go to pay your Self Assessment tax bill
- Choose "Pay online"
- Enter your UTR and the amount you want to pay
- Follow the on-screen instructions
HMRC doesn't charge a fee for debit card payments. Credit cards are not accepted.
Payment processing times
Most payment methods are processed within the same working day if made before your bank's cut-off time (usually 2pm or 3pm).
Allow extra time if you're paying by:
- Cheque: at least three working days
- International payment: check with your bank
If you're paying close to the deadline, use online banking or debit card to ensure your payment arrives on time.
Confirming HMRC received your payment
After you pay, you can check your HMRC online account to confirm the payment has been received and allocated correctly.
Payments usually appear in your account within three to six working days (depending on the method used).
If your payment doesn't appear after six working days, contact HMRC to check it's been processed correctly.
What happens if you can't pay on time
If you can't pay your tax bill by the deadline, contact HMRC as soon as possible.
You may be able to set up a Time to Pay arrangement, which lets you spread the cost over several months.
See Late payment consequences for more information on penalties and interest charges.
For more information, see HMRC's guidance on paying your Self Assessment tax bill.