You can pay tax through the HMRC app if you have a Self Assessment balance showing in your account and access to a compatible UK online or mobile banking service. The app provides a secure route from your HMRC account to your bank, where you review and approve the payment. It can be a convenient option for taxpayers who want to pay without manually entering HMRC bank details or a payment reference.
The HMRC tax app can also show your Self Assessment balance, payment history and other personal tax information. However, paying through the app is not the same as filing a tax return, setting up Making Tax Digital records or agreeing a Time to Pay arrangement. The balance shown in the app is calculated under the same Income Tax rules explained in our ultimate guide to personal tax in the UK, whichever payment method you eventually use. This guide explains how the payment process works, what you need before starting, which deadlines still apply and how to avoid common payment errors.
Can You Pay Tax Through the HMRC App?
Yes. HMRC allows individuals to use the official app to make Self Assessment and Simple Assessment payments. For Self Assessment, the app normally directs you to your bank’s app or online banking service so that you can approve a direct bank payment.
The payment option is useful for:
- Self-employed individuals
- Landlords
- Partners in a business partnership
- Company directors with personal tax liabilities
- Taxpayers with savings, dividend or capital gains liabilities
- Individuals making payments on account
- Taxpayers paying a Self Assessment balancing payment
The app is intended for personal tax affairs. It should not be assumed to replace the separate payment services used for company Corporation Tax, VAT, PAYE or other business liabilities.
What Is the HMRC App?
The HMRC app is HM Revenue and Customs’ official mobile application for individuals. It is available free of charge through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Current functions can include:
- Viewing your Self Assessment amount due
- Making a Self Assessment payment
- Making a Simple Assessment payment
- Checking payment history
- Setting a reminder to make a Self Assessment payment
- Checking current and previous Income Tax information
- Viewing and saving your National Insurance number
- Checking your tax code and estimated pay
- Claiming some Income Tax refunds
- Accessing a Help to Save account
- Tracking forms and correspondence sent to HMRC
- Updating personal details such as your name or address
- Choosing electronic communications where available
The available options can vary according to your tax record and identity-verification status.
How to Pay Tax Through the HMRC App
The exact screens may change as HMRC updates the service, but the payment process generally follows these steps:
- Download the official HMRC app from a recognised app store.
- Sign in using your Government Gateway details.
- Complete any identity or security checks requested by HMRC.
- Open the Self Assessment section.
- Review the balance shown as due.
- Select the option to make a payment.
- Choose to pay through your bank account.
- Select your bank or building society.
- Follow the secure link to your bank’s app or online banking service.
- Review the amount and approve the payment.
- Return to the HMRC app and retain the confirmation.
When paying through open banking, the payment details are normally passed securely to your bank. You should still check the amount, account and confirmation carefully before approving the transaction.
What Do You Need Before Making an HMRC App Payment?
Before you pay tax HMRC app balances, make sure you have:
- Your Government Gateway user ID and password
- Access to the mobile phone or email used for security checks
- A filed Self Assessment return where the final balance depends on that return
- A UK bank or building society account that supports the payment route
- Enough available funds
- The correct amount due
- A secure internet connection
- The official HMRC app rather than a third-party imitation
If you have not yet registered for Self Assessment or your return has not been processed, the balance shown may be incomplete or unavailable.
Does the HMRC App File Your Self Assessment Return?
No. Making a payment through the app does not submit a tax return. You must still complete and file the required Self Assessment return through an appropriate HMRC online service or compatible tax software.
The common misspelling self assesment by HMRC app can create confusion because the app handles some Self Assessment information and payments, but it is not a full substitute for the tax-return filing process.
Payment and filing have separate deadlines and penalties:
- A late return can create filing penalties even if the tax was paid.
- A late payment can create interest and payment penalties even if the return was filed on time.
Does the HMRC App Work for Making Tax Digital?
The HMRC app is not HMRC’s bookkeeping or submission software for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. Taxpayers within MTD must use compatible commercial software to keep digital records, send quarterly updates and complete the relevant annual tax process.
You may still use the app to view information or make a Self Assessment payment, but this does not satisfy MTD record-keeping or submission obligations.
What Self Assessment Payments Can You Make?
A Self Assessment balance may include:
- A balancing payment for the previous tax year
- The first payment on account due on 31 January
- The second payment on account due on 31 July
- Interest or penalties already shown on the account
- Other amounts collected through the Self Assessment statement
You can also make more than one payment towards the bill before the deadline. This can help spread the cash-flow impact, although it is different from a formal HMRC Time to Pay arrangement.
Current Self Assessment Payment Deadlines
| Payment | Typical deadline |
|---|---|
| Balancing payment | 31 January following the end of the tax year |
| First payment on account | 31 January |
| Second payment on account | 31 July |
For the 2025/26 tax year, the online filing and balancing-payment deadline is 31 January 2027. The second payment on account for 2025/26 is generally due on 31 July 2026 where payments on account apply.
When Is an HMRC App Payment Treated as Paid?
A payment approved through your bank is normally treated according to the bank-payment rules applying to that transaction. Faster Payments are often received quickly, but you should not leave payment until the final minutes of a deadline.
HMRC states that recent electronic or online payments can take up to seven days to appear in the balance section of the online account. A delay in the account display does not necessarily mean the payment failed, so retain the bank and HMRC confirmations.
How to Check Whether HMRC Received the Payment
After using the HMRC tax payment app route:
- Check your bank account for the completed transaction.
- Keep the payment confirmation or screenshot.
- Review the payment history in the app.
- Check your HMRC online account balance.
- Allow HMRC’s stated processing time before assuming it is missing.
- Contact HMRC if the payment remains absent after the expected period.
Do not make a duplicate payment simply because the HMRC balance has not updated immediately.
Do You Need to Enter Your UTR?
When the app initiates a payment directly from the Self Assessment account, the correct payment details should normally be generated for you. This reduces the risk of entering the wrong reference manually.
For other payment methods, the standard Self Assessment payment reference is usually your ten-digit Unique Taxpayer Reference followed by the letter K. An incorrect reference can delay allocation and leave the account appearing unpaid.
Is It Safe to Pay Through the HMRC App?
The official app uses Government Gateway authentication and secure redirection to supported banking services. However, taxpayers should still protect their information.
Use these precautions:
- Download only the official app from Apple or Google
- Check the publisher before installation
- Keep your phone operating system and app updated
- Use a screen lock and secure authentication
- Never share a Government Gateway password or one-time code
- Avoid payments over unsecured public Wi-Fi
- Do not follow unexpected payment links in texts or emails
- Sign out or secure the device if it is shared
HMRC App Scams and Fake Payment Requests
Fraudsters may imitate HMRC branding and claim that immediate payment is required. Warning signs include:
- Threats of instant arrest
- Requests for gift cards or cryptocurrency
- Pressure to transfer money to an unfamiliar personal account
- Requests for passwords or security codes
- Links to unofficial app stores or websites
- Unexpected refund messages asking for full bank-card details
Open the official app independently rather than using a link contained in an unsolicited message.
Does HMRC Charge a Fee for App Payments?
The bank-account payment route does not normally involve an HMRC payment fee. However, your bank’s own terms may apply in unusual circumstances.
This differs from paying tax by credit or debit card directly through HMRC’s online service using a corporate card, where HMRC charges a non-refundable processing fee.
HMRC App Versus Debit Card Payment
| Feature | HMRC app bank payment | Online debit-card payment |
|---|---|---|
| Payment route | Approved through online or mobile banking | Card details entered into HMRC’s online service |
| Personal payment fee | Normally none | No HMRC fee for a personal debit card |
| Reference entry | Usually generated through the account | Payment reference may need checking |
| Requires bank support | Yes, for the direct-bank approval route | Requires an accepted debit card |
HMRC App Versus Direct Debit
An app payment is generally a one-off transaction. Direct Debit may be more suitable for taxpayers who want HMRC to collect a stated liability or make regular Budget Payment Plan contributions.
Always check the processing time when setting up a new Direct Debit close to a deadline.
Can You Pay in Instalments Through the HMRC App?
You can make several voluntary payments before the deadline, but that does not create a formal instalment arrangement after tax becomes overdue.
If you cannot pay the full amount on time, you may need a Time to Pay arrangement. Eligible Self Assessment taxpayers with debts below the online threshold may be able to set up a plan through HMRC’s online services. Late-payment interest normally continues.
What If the Amount Shown in the App Is Wrong?
Do not pay an amount you believe is incorrect without investigating it. Possible causes include:
- A recently filed return has not yet been processed
- A payment has not yet been allocated
- A payment used the wrong reference
- The return contains an error
- A payment on account has been reduced or changed
- Interest or penalties have been added
- An HMRC amendment has altered the balance
Compare the app with your tax calculation, statement and bank records before taking further action.
What If You Paid the Wrong Amount?
If you underpay, the remaining balance can attract interest after the deadline. Make a further payment as soon as possible. Where the shortfall has grown into a larger, longer-standing balance, a broader look at the options for dealing with an outstanding tax bill may be more useful than a single top-up payment.
If you overpay, the credit may remain on your Self Assessment account or be available for repayment, subject to HMRC checks and other amounts due.
What If the HMRC App Does Not Work?
Try the following:
- Check that the app is updated
- Restart the app and device
- Confirm your internet connection
- Check your Government Gateway credentials
- Complete any outstanding identity verification
- Try HMRC’s browser-based online service
- Use another accepted payment method before the deadline
A technical problem with the app does not normally extend the statutory payment deadline.
Can an Accountant Make the App Payment for You?
An authorised accountant can review your tax calculation, balance and payment deadlines, but the app is linked to the individual’s personal account and banking approval. The taxpayer will usually need to authorise the payment personally.
An accountant can still help by:
- Confirming the correct amount due
- Checking payments on account
- Identifying missing reliefs or return errors
- Reviewing whether a payment plan is needed
- Checking how a payment has been allocated
- Planning future tax reserves
Common HMRC App Payment Mistakes
- Assuming payment files the tax return
- Paying an estimated balance without checking the filed return
- Leaving payment until the final minutes of the deadline
- Making a duplicate payment while the account is updating
- Using an unofficial app or payment link
- Assuming the app replaces MTD-compatible software
- Ignoring payments on account due in January or July
- Assuming an app payment creates a Time to Pay arrangement
- Failing to keep payment confirmation
- Using shared-device credentials insecurely
Practical Checklist Before Paying Through the HMRC App
- Confirm the official app is installed.
- File the relevant return where required.
- Check the Self Assessment statement.
- Confirm the amount and due date.
- Check available bank funds.
- Review payments already made.
- Approve the payment through your bank.
- Save the confirmation.
- Check the payment history and balance later.
- Investigate any discrepancy before paying again.
Final Guidance on Paying Tax Through the HMRC App
Using the official app to pay tax through the HMRC app can be a fast and convenient way to settle a Self Assessment liability. It reduces the need to enter bank details manually and allows you to review your balance and payment history in one place.
Before paying, confirm that the return and amount are correct, approve the transaction securely through your bank and retain the confirmation. Remember that the HMRC app does not replace tax-return filing, MTD-compatible software or a formal payment arrangement where you cannot pay on time. Once your Self Assessment payment is settled, reviewing your wider tax position as part of pre-tax year-end planning can help you prepare more comfortably for next year’s bill.
HMRC App Tax Payment Case Study
Rebecca, a self-employed graphic designer, visited our Fulham office after filing her Self Assessment tax return. She wanted to pay tax through the HMRC app but was unsure whether the app could also submit her tax return or set up a payment plan if she couldn’t pay the full balance. She also wanted reassurance that making a payment through the app was secure and that it would reach HMRC before the deadline.
After reviewing Rebecca’s Self Assessment account, we explained that the HMRC tax app is designed to help taxpayers view their balance, make Self Assessment payments and check their payment history, but it does not replace filing a tax return or using Making Tax Digital software. We guided her through the payment process, showed her how the app securely redirects users to their online banking service for authorisation and reminded her to keep the payment confirmation until the transaction appeared on her HMRC account.
During the consultation, Rebecca also learned that making several voluntary payments before the deadline could help spread the cost, but this was different from an official Time to Pay arrangement if the tax became overdue.
By the end of the meeting, Rebecca understood how to use the HMRC app confidently, avoid common payment mistakes and keep her Self Assessment obligations on track.
