Brits have to make these two payments, with two exceptions. These include if:
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the amount of tax owed last year was under £1,000
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last year they paid over 80% of the tax owed outside of Self Assessment (for example, through their tax code or because their bank had already deducted interest on their savings)
“Payments on account instalments can be paid before a customer has filed their Self Assessment tax return,” the Government department adds.
“The deadline for submitting tax returns and paying any remaining tax owed for the 2025 to 2026 tax year is January 31, 2027.”
HMRC says filing early allows you to establish how much tax they owe sooner, making budgeting and financial planning easier.
You can pay via the app, which HMRC says is the quickest way, or on the GOV.UK, via cheque, or telephone banking etc.
Taxpayers can set up monthly or weekly payment plans. Any payments already made via them count towards the next Self Assessment tax bill, sparing you from suddenly being hit with one big sum.
HMRC directs people to search “Pay your Self Assessment tax bill” on GOV.UK to pick the payment option that works best for their circumstances.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “We know managing a Self Assessment tax bill isn’t always straightforward and we are here to help.
“From paying instantly via the HMRC app to spreading the cost through a payment plan, there’s support available for every customer.”
