Questions and Answers
Can I pay HMRC by credit card?
I am thinking about making my July payment on account for my income tax bill on my credit card. Are there any problems with that?
Last updated 1 Jul 2026 | First published 25 May 2016
By Helen Wood, CA 1 min read
Self-Assessment Tax Returns
You are able to pay HMRC using a debit card or business credit card but not a personal credit card. There are a few things you need to be aware of.
As the payment of tax is for self-assessment income tax, make sure you use your 10-digit Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) followed by the letter ‘K’ as your payment reference.
There’s also a non-refundable fee if you pay HMRC by credit card. This applies whatever the tax is that you're paying.
The fees you will pay when paying tax by credit or debit card vary depending on the type of card used and whether the card is a personal or corporate card. The fee is made up of a combination of the fees HMRC pays for processing care payments at any given time:
- the merchant acquirer fee
- the interchange fee, and
- the scheme fee.
This replaces the fixed fees HMRC charged prior to the introduction of The Fees for Payment of Taxes, etc. by Card Regulations 2020
Last updated 1 Jul 2026 | First published 25 May 2016
This article is intended to inform rather than advise and is based on legislation and practice at the time. Taxpayer’s circumstances do vary and if you feel that the information provided is beneficial it is important that you contact us before implementation. If you take, or do not take action as a result of reading this article, before receiving our written endorsement, we will accept no responsibility for any financial loss incurred.
Helen Wood, CA
Helen is a qualified chartered accountant (CA) and joined TaxAssist in 2025 following three years as a freelance content writer for clients in the tax and accounting publishing sector. Prior to this, She spent 17 years at Big Four and Top 10 accountancy firms. Helen writes clear and helpful articles on tax and accounting for businesses and individuals.
Choose the right accounting firm for you
Running your own business can be challenging so why not let TaxAssist Accountants manage your tax, accounting, bookkeeping and payroll needs? If you are not receiving the service you deserve from your accountant, then perhaps it’s time to make the switch?
Local business focus
We specialise in supporting independent businesses and work with 100,000 clients. Each TaxAssist Accountant runs their own business, and are passionate about supporting you.
Come and meet us
We enjoy talking to business owners and self-employed professionals who are looking to get the most out of their accountant. You can visit us at any of our 390 locations, meet with us online through video call software, or talk to us by telephone.
Switching is simple
Changing accountants is easier than you might think. There are no tax implications and you can switch at any time in the year and our team will guide you through the process for a smooth transition.