Change description : 2026-06-15 14:50:00: The maximum amount you can pay by Direct Debit has been updated – you must pay in a different way if you are making a payment of more than £20 million. [Guidance and regulation]
You must submit your return and pay any tax due no later than the last working day of the month after the end of the tax period.
You’ll find out how much you have to pay when you submit your return.
If the deadline is on a weekend or bank holiday, make sure your payment reaches HMRC by the end of the previous working day.
If you do not pay by the deadline, you may need to pay a penalty, interest, or both.
What you need
You need your 15-character reference number starting with X.
You can find this on either:
your HMRC online account — you’ll need the Government Gateway user ID and password you used when you registered
on the letter HMRC sent you
If you use an incorrect reference number:
there will be a delay in the payment being allocated correctly
you will receive a payment reminder
If you need to pay a Plastic Packaging Tax penalty
You will need your 14-character charge reference number, starting with an X, to make a payment. You can find it on the letter we sent you about your penalty.
Pay online
You can pay online using one of the following methods:
approve a payment through your online bank account
You’ll need the Government Gateway user ID and password you used when you registered for the account.
You can also use it to:
change or cancel your Direct Debit
view the date HMRC will collect your payment
You must pay in a different way if you are making a payment of £20more millionthan or£20 more.million.
Paying your bill automatically
HMRC will automatically collect the payment from your bank account based on the amount in your return. You will only need to set the Direct Debit up once.
Set it up at least 4 working days before your payment due date.
The payments will show on your bank statement as ‘HMRC SDDS’.
Payments will be automatically collected from your bank account. This is usually 4 days after your return and payment due date. We will send you a message with the exact date and amount after you file your return.
If you file your return late, your payment will usually be taken 4 days after you file the return.
The Direct Debit cannot collect any interest or penalty charges you owe.
Paying by debit or corporate credit card
You can make a full payment online using a debit or corporate credit card. There is a non-refundable fee if you use a corporate credit or debit card. You cannot pay by personal credit card.
Your payment will be accepted on the date you make it and not the date it reaches HMRC’s account (including weekends and bank holidays).
You must make sure the details you enter match those held by your bank or card provider. For example, the billing address should match the one your card is currently registered with.
Pay by bank transfer
If you pay by CHAPS (Clearing House Automated Payment System) or Faster Payments, your payment will be received on the same or next working day.
If you pay by Bacs (Bankers Automated Clearing System), allow 3 working days for the payment to reach HMRC.
We recommend you check your bank’s processing times and maximum transaction limits before you pay.
Account details to use if your account is in the UK
Use the following details to make a payment if your bank account is in the UK:
sort code — 08 32 10
account number — 12529599
account name — HMRC General Business Tax Receipts
Account details to use if your account is overseas
Use the following details to make a payment if your account is overseas:
account number (IBAN) — GB86 BARC 2005 1740 2043 74
Business Identifier Code (BIC) — BARCGB22
account name — HMRC General Business Tax Receipts
You must make all payments in pound sterling. Your bank may charge you if you use any other currency.
If needed, you can provide your bank with the following HMRC banking address:
Barclays Bank PLC 1 Churchill Place London United Kingdom E14 5HP
Information about the maximum amount you can pay by Direct Debit has been updated.
16 September 2024
The payment details used to pay by bank transfer have been updated.
20 March 2024
Information about checking with your bank to make sure your payment has left your account has been added.
1 February 2024
Guidance about the character references you need to use when paying Plastic Packaging Tax and any penalties has been updated.
6 November 2023
Approve a payment through your online bank account has been updated to say that you can select a date to pay, as long as it's before your payment is due.
24 October 2023
Guidance about the different ways you can make a payment online has been updated.
22 August 2023
Translation added.
22 August 2023
Details of the information you need to pay a Plastic Packaging Tax penalty has been added.
14 June 2023
Content has been removed from the 'When to pay' section. Information about 'If you do not submit your return or pay on time' has also been removed. This is to prevent unnecessary duplication.
8 February 2023
You will need your 14 character charge reference number starting with an X to make a payment.
26 August 2022
The account name for online or telephone banking, CHAPS or Bacs and overseas payments has been updated.