Answers · UK 2025/26
How do I set up a Direct Debit to pay HMRC?
Sign in to your Personal Tax Account at gov.uk and use the "Pay your Self Assessment" option. You can set up a one-off or recurring Direct Debit. Set up 5+ working days before deadline to be sure payment clears on time.
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UK HMRC payment methods 2025/26. Direct Debit (recommended for SA): sign in to gov.uk/personal-tax-account or HMRC app, choose Self Assessment → Pay your bill → Direct Debit. Allow 5 working days for first DD set-up to clear before deadline. Subsequent payments only need 3 days. One-off DD vs Budget Payment Plan: one-off DD pays a specific amount on a specific date; Budget Payment Plan lets you spread next year's bill weekly or monthly in advance. Other payment methods. Online banking (Faster Payments): immediate clearance, your full HMRC reference is required (UTR followed by K). Approved details available on gov.uk for each tax type. Debit card (Visa/Mastercard): no fee for personal debit cards, immediate, via gov.uk/pay-self-assessment. Corporate debit/credit card: fee applies. CHAPS: same-day clearance for large payments; £20+ bank fee typical. Cheque: by post, allow 5 working days, but cheques are being phased out — HMRC no longer accepts personal cheques for many taxes from 2024. Cash at the Post Office: with payment slip (allow 3 working days). Direct Debit advantages: no need to remember dates, no chance of error in reference number, free, evidence trail. Disadvantages: requires UK bank account, can be cancelled but reversal hard. Important: NEVER respond to HMRC contact via SMS/email — many scams. Always log into gov.uk yourself.
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This answer is informational only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are for the 2025/26 UK tax year. See our methodology and sources.