Managing Tax Payments with Time to Pay

Paying your taxes on time is a requirement by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), but what if you’re struggling to make full payment? Don’t worry – HMRC offers a solution called Time to Pay, which allows you to spread your tax costs over an agreed period, making it easier to manage your cash flow.

 

 

How Time to Pay Works

If you need more time to pay your tax bills, Time to Pay could be the answer. You can request this arrangement for several types of taxes, such as:

  • Self Assessment tax
  • Employer’s PAYE
  • VAT
  • Corporation Tax

For some taxes, you can apply online using HMRC’s “self-service” system. However, if you’re dealing with a different tax type or the conditions for online requests aren’t met, you’ll need to contact HMRC directly.

The easiest way to discuss your options is by phone at  0300 200 3835. When speaking to an HMRC agent, they’ll ask about all taxes you owe, your income and expenses, and any savings or assets that could help reduce the amount you owe. If you reach an agreement during the call, they will likely set up a Direct Debit for the payments.

 

Using the Self-Service System

For straightforward cases, the self-service system may be the fastest route. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Self-Assessment: Apply within 60 days of the payment deadline if you owe £30,000 or less.                     
  • Employer’s PAYE: The debt must be no more than 5 years old, under £50,000, and all PAYE and CIS returns must be submitted. You can spread the payment over a maximum of 12 months.                          
  • VAT: Apply within 28 days of the due date if you owe no more than £20,000. Note: You cannot use self-service if you are on cash accounting or the annual accounting scheme.

While the self-service system makes the process easier, it’s important to remember that HMRC is not obligated to offer this arrangement. If you fail to pay your taxes, HMRC can take legal action, including court proceedings or bankruptcy.

 

How we can help

The best way to avoid tax stress is to stay ahead of it. Working closely with your accountant allows us to forecast your tax liabilities and avoid unpleasant surprises.

If unexpected financial pressures arise, setting up a Time to Pay plan is the sensible way to manage your debt. Ignoring your tax obligations can lead to severe penalties and legal consequences.

Contact us today to discuss how a Time to Pay arrangement can work for you!

Instagram

more insights

Using CIS – A Guide For Workers

January 29, 2026

Your Guide To Using The Construction Industry SchemeIf you’re a self-employed construction worker, you’ve probably heard people talk about the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). But

more …

GDPR and Privacy Policy

European Union GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations)

The EU GDPR is designed to help all of us have more control over our personal data, and how is it used.

Who does the information GDPR apply to?

Data subjects, being all visitors and users of any website who are members of the European Union, and therefore who submit personal data. [replace name]  is the data processor and data controller of this site. You can find out more about this law here.

Privacy Policy

Effective from 25th May, 2018

This Privacy Policy sets out how we use and protect information that you may provide when you use this website.  Your privacy is protected and important to us. If you provide identifiable personal information it will only be used to help us fulfil your project requirements.

[replace name]  is the company who collects any personal data submitted through [replace url] 

We may update this policy periodically, please check this page to ensure that you are in agreement with any changes.

What We Collect

Personal information, basically any data that can be used to identify or contact you is collected so we can service your requirements.  This could include your name, business name, address details, email, telephone numbers, or information pertaining to your exhibition stand requirements. You may also at times be asked to leave a message about your enquiry or project brief. Websites also collect your IP address through the use of Cookies (find out more about cookies below).

If you opted-in to our mailing list, you may receive occasional emails on important updates or service information. You have the right to opt-out or and have any personal details removed at any time, please email [replace email address]

What We Do With The Information We Collect

Information is saved until the enquiry is dealt with, and then archived with the project or on cloud based systems if you are an ongoing client. We also retain your contact details and information in the emails you have sent, but you can request to have your personal details deleted at any time.

We will not sell, distribute, or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your express permission, or are required by law to do so. We may use your personal information to send you relevant information about services we offer, or information you need as part of the services we offer.

Data Security

In our continued commitment to ensuring that your information is secure and to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, we have suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures in place to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.

  • Data is stored on a secure cloud-based server or on a secure, password protected computer with limited user access.
  • Sending information over the internet is generally not completely secure, and we can’t guarantee the security of your data while it’s in transit. Any data you send is at your own risk.
  • We have procedures including 2FA, passwords, restricted access and other security features in place to keep your data secure once we receive it.
  • [replace name]  will NEVER pass on your personal data to third parties without first getting your explicit consent.

Controlling your personal information

You may choose to restrict the collection or use of your personal information in the following ways:

  • Whenever you are asked to fill in a form on the website, look for the box that you can click to indicate that you do not want the information to be used for direct marketing purposes
  • If you have previously opted-in to a mailing list, or provided other information, you can find out what information we hold, and ask us to remove or not to use any of it, by writing to, or emailing [replace email address]
  • You may request details of personal information which we hold about you.
  • If you believe that any information we are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, please write to, or email us as soon as possible at [replace email address]  We will promptly correct any information.

Google Analytics

User and Event Data Retention

User-level and event-level data associated with Google Analytics cookies is retained for 14 months and then automatically deleted.

IP Anonymization

I have implemented IP Anonymization, simply put, the last three digits of your IP address are set to zeros in memory shortly after being sent to the Analytics Collection Network. The full IP address is never retained, or written to disk.

Cookies

This site also uses Cookies, find out more or manage them here.