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Cannot Pay Your Tax Bill? HMRC Payment Plans
If you cannot pay your Self Assessment bill in full, you may be able to set up a payment plan online. You can do this if you have filed your latest return, owe £30,000 or less, are within 60 days of the payment deadline and have no other plans or debts with HMRC. Otherwise contact HMRC as soon as possible. If you ignore the debt, HMRC can take money from your wages or bank, or take you to court.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Payment Plans
Online Plan
You can set up a Self Assessment payment plan online if you have filed your latest return, owe £30,000 or less, are within 60 days of the payment deadline, and have no other payment plans or debts with HMRC. source
If You Cannot Use the Online Plan
Contact HMRC as soon as possible. It will ask about your income, spending and savings. A Standard Financial Statement from an independent debt adviser can be used as evidence. source
If You Do Not Pay
HMRC may pass the debt to a collection agency, take money from your wages or pension, seize and sell belongings or take money from your bank (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland), or take you to court or make you bankrupt. HMRC will contact you first and explain your options. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 60 daysSet up a plan onlineAfter the payment deadline
- 31 JanuarySelf Assessment payment deadlineEach year
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Work out what you can afford each month.
Step 2 of 5
Set up a plan online if you qualify.
Step 3 of 5
Otherwise call HMRC before the debt grows.
Step 4 of 5
Get free debt advice for a Standard Financial Statement.
Step 5 of 5
Keep up the payments: missing them can end the plan.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
HMRC
Contact HMRC through your personal tax account, the HMRC app or the phone and post details on GOV.UK.
Free Debt Advice
StepChange, National Debtline or Citizens Advice can help you prepare.
Free Tax Help
TaxAid and Tax Help for Older People give free advice if your income is low.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Paying faster means paying less interest.
Scotland has its own Income Tax rates and bands. The rules on returns, penalties and HMRC complaints apply across the UK.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 15 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- hmrc.gov.uk/difficulties-paying-hmrc/print Checked 15 October 2026