Payments on Account Explained: Will You Need to Make Them?
Quick Answer
You'll usually need to make Payments on Account if your Self Assessment tax bill was over £1,000 and less than 80% of your tax was already collected through PAYE. Each payment is 50% of last year's bill, due 31 January and 31 July. This is separate from — and in addition to — your normal tax bill for the year.
Who Has to Pay
Payments on Account apply to most self-employed people, sole traders, and landlords whose Self Assessment bill exceeds £1,000. They don't apply if:
- Your last tax bill was £1,000 or less
- More than 80% of your tax was already collected at source (e.g. through PAYE on employment income)
How It's Calculated
Each Payment on Account is exactly 50% of your previous year's total tax bill (Income Tax and Class 4 NI, not including student loan repayments or Capital Gains Tax). HMRC assumes your income will be similar to last year unless you tell them otherwise.
Payment Dates
| Date | What's Due |
|---|---|
| 31 January | Balancing payment for last tax year + 1st Payment on Account for this year |
| 31 July | 2nd Payment on Account for this year |
Worked Example
Your 2025/26 tax bill was £6,000. For 2026/27, you'll be asked to pay £3,000 on 31 January 2027 and £3,000 on 31 July 2027 as Payments on Account — a total of £6,000 assuming your income stays flat. If your actual 2026/27 bill turns out to be £6,500, you'll pay the £500 shortfall as a balancing payment the following January, alongside your first Payment on Account for 2027/28.
Reducing Your Payments
If you know your income will be lower this year — for example, you've taken on fewer clients or reduced your hours — you can apply to reduce your Payments on Account via your HMRC online account or form SA303. Reduce them too far, though, and HMRC will charge interest on the shortfall once your actual bill is known, so estimate carefully rather than guessing low.