How to pay your Self Assessment tax bill, and how long each way takes
The 2025/26 bill is due by 31 January 2027, and HMRC must receive the money by then. Here are the ways to pay, how long each takes, and how to spread the cost.
Checked against GOV.UK on 23 October 2026. General information for sole traders in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, not tax advice. Scottish Income Tax rates are different.
When to pay
31 January 2027 for the balancing payment and first payment on account, and 31 July 2027 for the second payment on account. The January tax bill calculator estimates both.
Ways to pay
| Method | Time to reach HMRC |
|---|---|
| Faster Payments (online or phone banking), approving a payment through your bank, the HMRC app, CHAPS, debit or corporate credit card online | Same or next day |
| Bacs, or a Direct Debit you've set up before | 3 working days |
| Direct Debit set up for the first time | 5 working days |
You can't pay by personal credit card. 31 January 2027 is a Sunday, so if you're not using Faster Payments or a card, make sure the money arrives by Friday 29 January.
Use the right reference
Your reference is your 10-digit UTR followed by K. A wrong reference can delay matching. See finding your UTR.
Spreading the cost
You can make payments before the deadline whenever you like, or use a Budget Payment Plan to pay weekly or monthly by Direct Debit towards your next bill, if you're up to date with your last one. A simple habit: when an invoice is paid, move your tax percentage to a separate pot. The self-employed tax calculator shows the percentage.
If you can't pay
See Time to Pay, and late payment penalties for what paying late costs.
This guide is part of our Self Assessment guides for the self-employed.
Free: The UK Contractor's Cheat Sheet 2026/27
CIS rates, overtime maths, tax dates, mileage, VAT and late payment, on 2 pages. Keep it on your phone or print it for the van.
Frequently asked questions
What is the reference for paying Self Assessment?
Your 10-digit UTR followed by the letter K.
How long does a Direct Debit take?
5 working days for your first one with HMRC, 3 working days if you've set one up before.
Can I pay monthly?
Yes. A Budget Payment Plan lets you pay weekly or monthly towards your next bill if you're up to date.
Sources
- Pay your Self Assessment tax bill – GOV.UK
- Pay weekly or monthly (Budget Payment Plan) – GOV.UK
- Self Assessment tax returns: deadlines – GOV.UK
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and rates change, so check the linked GOV.UK pages for the current position.