Quick answer: No. HMRC does not accept personal credit cards. According to GOV.UK, you can pay your tax bill by personal debit card with no fee, or by corporate credit or corporate debit card with a fee that is not refundable. If you only have a personal credit card, you will need another way to pay.
This guide is for UK taxpayers. It covers which cards HMRC accepts, which taxes you can pay by card, how payment dates work, and the other ways to pay a Self Assessment bill. It also covers what to do if you cannot pay in full.
Can you pay HMRC with a credit card?
Not with a personal credit card. GOV.UK states this directly on its card payment page: “You cannot pay by personal credit card”. The same page explains the card options that do work:
- Personal debit card: no fee.
- Corporate debit card: a fee applies, and it is not refundable.
- Corporate credit card: a fee applies, and it is not refundable.
A corporate card is one issued to a business rather than to you personally. If you are not sure whether your card counts as corporate, ask your card provider before you pay, and check the fee shown on the payment page before you confirm.
Which taxes can you pay by card?
GOV.UK lists these payments as available through its card payment service:
- Self Assessment
- Employers’ PAYE and National Insurance
- VAT
- Corporation Tax
- Stamp Duty Land Tax
- Soft Drinks Industry Levy
- Alcohol Duty
- Income Tax (because you previously under-paid)
- Imported goods you have declared on the Customs Declaration Service
- Miscellaneous payments, if your payment reference begins with “X”
When does HMRC treat a card payment as paid?
HMRC accepts a card payment on the date you make it, not the date it reaches its account. This includes weekends and bank holidays. That makes a debit card useful if you are close to a deadline, but it is better not to leave it that late.
For Self Assessment, the usual deadlines are 31 January for any tax you owe for the previous tax year (and your first payment on account) and 31 July for your second payment on account. HMRC charges interest on late payments and may charge a penalty.
Other ways to pay a Self Assessment bill
If a debit card does not suit you, GOV.UK lists several other methods, with different timings:
| Method | How long it takes, according to GOV.UK |
|---|---|
| Online or telephone banking (Faster Payments) | Same or next day, including weekends and bank holidays |
| CHAPS | Usually the same working day, if you pay within your bank’s processing times |
| Debit or corporate credit card online | Same or next day |
| Bacs | Usually 3 working days |
| Direct Debit (set up with HMRC before) | 3 working days |
| Direct Debit (first time) | 5 working days |
You can also approve a payment through your online bank account using the HMRC app or the online service, pay by cheque through the post, or pay at your bank or building society if you still get paper statements and have the paying-in slip HMRC sent you. You can no longer pay at the Post Office.
If you want to spread the cost, you can set up a Budget Payment Plan to make weekly or monthly Direct Debit payments towards your next bill. Some people can also pay through their PAYE tax code. This applies if you owe less than £3,000 and meet the other conditions, which GOV.UK sets out on its Self Assessment payment page.
What if you cannot pay your tax bill in full?
Do not try to force a payment through a method that is not allowed. GOV.UK says that if you cannot pay in full by card, you should use another payment method such as a bank transfer. If you cannot pay the full bill at all, contact HMRC as early as you can.
GOV.UK explains that you may be able to set up a payment plan, also known as a Time to Pay arrangement, to pay in monthly instalments. HMRC checks whether the plan is affordable for you. It says there is no time limit on how long a plan can last, and that you will usually be asked to pay around half of what you have left over each month after essential outgoings. Paying faster means you pay less interest in total.
If you ignore the debt, HMRC can take further action, which can include asking a debt collection agency to collect the money. GOV.UK points to free debt advice in each part of the UK: MoneyHelper for England and Wales, Scotland Debt Solutions for Scotland, and Advice NI for Northern Ireland.
Is it different for council tax or other bills?
Yes. HMRC’s rules apply only to HMRC payments. Councils set their own rules, and many accept credit cards for council tax. See our guide to paying council tax with a credit card. For regular bills, see paying Direct Debits with a credit card, and for card payment methods in general, see how to pay your credit card bill.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay my VAT bill with a credit card?
Only with a corporate credit card, and a non-refundable fee applies. GOV.UK says you cannot pay by personal credit card, and lists VAT among the payments you can make by debit or corporate credit card.
Is there a fee for paying HMRC by debit card?
GOV.UK says there is no fee if you pay by personal debit card. A fee applies to corporate debit and corporate credit cards, and it is not refundable.
What is the quickest way to pay HMRC?
For Self Assessment, GOV.UK lists Faster Payments and debit or corporate credit card as same or next day methods. Bacs and Direct Debit take longer, so allow more time for them.
Which card option has no fee?
A personal debit card. You can pay it online through the GOV.UK card payment service.
This article is general information and not financial or tax advice. Rules and fees can change, so check GOV.UK before you pay. See our Disclaimer and Editorial Policy. Last reviewed October 2026.
