HMRC to end payments by personal credit cards

From 13th January 2018, you will no longer be able to pay your self-assessment tax bill with your personal credit card.

You can currently pay by personal credit card using your HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) online account or on your paying-in slip, if you receive paper statements. After 13th January, this will no longer be an option, forcing taxpayers to use business credit cards (which incur higher transaction fees) or choose an alternative payment method.

Alternative payment options include online or telephone banking, the Clearing House Automated Payment System (CHAPS), debit card, via your bank/building society, post office, direct debit or cheque.

HMRC also plans to withdraw the facility to pay through a Post Office from 15th December 2017.

The new rule scrapping personal credit card payments for self-assessment tax returns will come into effect on the same day as the Government introduces a ban on credit and debit surcharges in the UK. This means that retailers and traders will no longer be allowed to charge you for using your credit or debit card when you buy something from them. This also applies to Government services including HMRC, the DVLA and local authorities. The Government is implementing a new set of rules on payments written in the EU, meaning that card surcharges will also end in all member states next year.

In July last year, figures obtained by Telegraph Money revealed that HMRC took £50m from credit card fees charged to taxpayers that have had to pay their outstanding tax bills on credit in the last five years.

However, a HMRC spokesman said: “We are merely passing on what we are charged for processing a credit card payment. We introduced and published separate rates to better reflect the costs associated with different credit cards.”

If you are planning to pay by personal credit card, it is recommended that you aim to complete your tax return and calculate your tax bill early, to avoid the 13th January 2018 end date for personal credit card payments. If you need help to complete your tax return, contact us today on 01467 469011 or online here.

Date published 31 Oct 2017 | Last updated 31 Oct 2017