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Paying HMRC
How to Pay HMRC: Bank Details and Payment References for Every Tax
Official links only, organised by task, with notes on who uses each one.
Official sources only · Links checked 23 September 2026 · Last updated 23 September 2026
Quick answer
Each HMRC tax has its own bank account and reference format. Self Assessment and Corporation Tax use HMRC Cumbernauld or Shipley; VAT uses HMRC VAT (08 32 00, 11963155); PAYE uses HMRC Cumbernauld. Always use the right reference and check GOV.UK and the HMRC letter before paying.
Which HMRC payment page do I need?
- How to pay Self AssessmentReference: 10-digit UTR followed by the letter K (11 characters)
- How to pay Corporation TaxReference: 17-character Corporation Tax payment reference for the accounting period
- How to pay VATReference: 9-digit VAT registration number, no spaces
- How to pay PAYE and CISReference: 13-character Accounts Office reference, no spaces
- How to pay Class 1A National InsuranceReference: 17 characters: 13-character Accounts Office reference + tax year digits + 13
- How to pay a PAYE Settlement AgreementReference: 14-character PSA reference starting with X
- How to pay voluntary Class 3 National InsuranceReference: 18-digit reference from HMRC
- How to pay Inheritance TaxReference: Inheritance Tax payment reference
General payment help
Card payments carry a fee for corporate cards; personal credit cards are not accepted. If a client can’t pay, talk to HMRC before the deadline.
| Task | Official link | Who uses it | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay tax by debit or corporate credit card | Open Pay tax by debit or corporate credit card (opens in new tab) | Anyone | — |
| If you can’t pay your tax bill on time (Time to Pay) | Open If you can’t pay your tax bill on time (Time to Pay) (opens in new tab) | Clients in difficulty | — |
Official payment pages
Our payment pages summarise each tax. The GOV.UK page is always the authority.
| Task | Official link | Who uses it | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay your Self Assessment tax bill | Open Pay your Self Assessment tax bill (opens in new tab) | Individuals | — |
| Pay your Corporation Tax bill | Open Pay your Corporation Tax bill (opens in new tab) | Companies | — |
| Pay your VAT bill | Open Pay your VAT bill (opens in new tab) | VAT-registered businesses | — |
| Pay employers’ PAYE | Open Pay employers’ PAYE (opens in new tab) | Employers | — |
| Pay employers’ Class 1A National Insurance | Open Pay employers’ Class 1A National Insurance (opens in new tab) | Employers | — |
| Pay a PAYE Settlement Agreement | Open Pay a PAYE Settlement Agreement (opens in new tab) | Employers | — |
| Pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance | Open Pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance (opens in new tab) | Individuals | — |
| Pay your Inheritance Tax bill | Open Pay your Inheritance Tax bill (opens in new tab) | Executors | — |
See it working with your own clients
Client references, payment reminders and deadlines in one place.
Keep all of this inside your practice management software
Store each client’s UTR, VAT number, PAYE reference, Accounts Office reference and Corporation Tax payment reference in custom fields on the client record. Create one payment instructions email template with tokens that fill in each client’s own reference, then send it to one client or in bulk before each deadline. Set automated reminders and recurring tasks for every payment date, and pull filing deadlines with Companies House sync. Remindoo doesn’t submit filings, take payments or connect to HMRC — it keeps the references and the reminders in one place.
See the Remindoo how-to guides and getting started.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a payment take to reach HMRC?
GOV.UK says Faster Payments usually reach HMRC the same or next day, including weekends and bank holidays. CHAPS usually arrives the same working day within your bank’s cut-off, and Bacs usually takes 3 working days. Direct Debit needs setting up in advance.
What happens if I pay HMRC with the wrong reference?
HMRC says the payment may be delayed or allocated to a different tax bill. Contact HMRC through the relevant contact page and ask for it to be moved. Storing each client’s reference on their record, and sending it with tokens, avoids retyping errors.
Can I pay HMRC by credit card?
HMRC accepts debit cards and corporate credit cards online, with a non-refundable fee for corporate cards. GOV.UK says personal credit cards are not accepted.
Can I pay HMRC from an overseas bank account?
Yes, for most taxes. GOV.UK lists an IBAN and BIC for each overseas account. Pay in sterling, as your bank may charge for other currencies. Our payment pages show the overseas details where GOV.UK publishes them.
How do I set up a Time to Pay arrangement?
If a client can’t pay on time, GOV.UK’s If you cannot pay your tax bill on time page explains how to set up a payment plan, including online options for some Self Assessment, PAYE and VAT debts. Contact HMRC before the deadline where possible.
How can I send payment instructions to all clients before 31 January?
Create one email template with tokens for each client’s name and UTR, then send it in bulk to a filtered list of Self Assessment clients. In Remindoo you can pair it with an automated reminder so it goes out on the same date every year.
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Last updated 23 September 2026. General guidance, not regulatory advice. Always follow the official GOV.UK page.
Why recording every task matters in an accountancy practice
Accounting firms run on deadlines: VAT returns, payroll, confirmation statements, accounts and Self Assessment. Recording every job as a task, with an owner and a date, is the simplest way to make sure nothing is missed.
Avoid penalties
HMRC and Companies House charge penalties for late filing. A task for every deadline, with an internal date before it, gives the team a buffer.
Nothing depends on memory
Recorded tasks mean work continues when someone is off sick, on leave or has left the firm.
Consistent quality
Subtask checklists make every job follow the same steps and reviews, whoever does the work.
Visibility for managers
Filters by owner, status and deadline show at a glance what is late, what is due and who needs help.
Practical tips from UK practice
- Set an internal deadline two to four weeks before every statutory deadline.
- Use recurring tasks for repeat work such as VAT, payroll and bookkeeping.
- Break larger jobs into subtasks, including a review step.
- Comment on the task instead of by email, so the history stays with the work.
Related Remindoo features
Written and reviewed by Waqas Sagar ACA FCCA FMAAT, Chartered Accountant with 18+ years in practice. Founder and MD of Accotax, an ICAEW, ACCA and AAT regulated London practice that has served over 5,000 clients, and founder of Remindoo. Guidance is general; check current GOV.UK and professional body guidance for your firm.
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