Paying your Self Assessment tax bill with a personal credit card might seem like a simple solution, especially when card transactions are a part of our daily lives. However, the short answer is no, you can't.

Back in 2018, HMRC stopped accepting personal credit card payments. This decision was a direct result of UK legislation that banned merchants—including HMRC—from passing on card processing fees to customers. Faced with absorbing these costs themselves, HMRC opted to remove the personal credit card payment option entirely.

While this means small business owners can't use a personal credit card to settle their tax bill, it's important to note that personal debit cards are still accepted, and you won't be charged any fees for using one.

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So, what are my payment options?

While personal credit cards are off the table, HMRC provides a wide range of other ways to pay your Self Assessment tax bill.

The most popular methods are now digital, with trends showing a significant shift towards online payments. Between February 2024 and January 2025, over £12 billion was paid using the "Pay by Bank" service, a 36% increase from the previous year. The HMRC app has also seen a huge surge in use, with payments tripling to £121 million between April and September 2023.

Here's a full breakdown of your options:

• Online or in-app:
• Personal debit card
• "Pay by Bank" (via Open Banking)
• HMRC mobile app
• Bank transfer:
• Direct Debit (allow 5 working days for the first payment)
• Faster Payments or CHAPS (usually same or next day)
• Bacs (takes 3 working days)
• Other methods:
• At your bank or building society (using a paying-in slip from HMRC)
• By cheque through the post (allow 3 working days for it to arrive)

What about a business or corporate credit card?

Yes, you can still pay your Self Assessment tax bill using a corporate, business, or commercial credit card. However, unlike personal debit cards, these payments come with a non-refundable fee that HMRC passes on to you.

The fees vary depending on the card type. Corporate debit cards are also accepted but will incur a fee.

What should I do if I can't pay my tax bill?

If you were relying on a credit card and don't have the cash available to pay your tax bill, the most important thing is not to ignore it. You should still file your Self Assessment tax return on time to avoid late filing penalties.

Once you've filed, you should immediately contact HMRC to discuss a 'Time to Pay' arrangement. If you meet the criteria, you may be able to set up a payment plan to spread the cost of your bill over a period of time.

Need help with your Self Assessment?

Getting your tax return filed correctly and on time is the first step. At Crunch, our expert accountants can take care of your Self Assessment for you, ensuring it's accurate and hassle-free.

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