Pay HMRC by credit card: VAT, Corporation Tax and more

Why can't I just pay HMRC with my card?

Since January 2018 HMRC has not accepted personal credit cards, and only takes corporate credit cards with a fee. So to put a tax bill on a credit card, to hold onto your cash a little longer or earn points on a large payment, you need a way to route it. That is what Payko does.

How it works

Three steps, a few minutes, and your tax bill is paid.

Enter the payment

Select HMRC on your dashboard, then enter the amount and the reference HMRC expects for that tax.

Pay by credit card

Pay Payko with your Visa or Mastercard credit card. You see the flat 4.9% fee in full before you confirm.

HMRC gets a bank transfer

We send HMRC a standard bank transfer with your reference, typically the next working day.

Which HMRC bills you can pay

VAT

Quarterly VAT returns, due the 7th after the quarter end.

Corporation Tax

Due 9 months and 1 day after your year end.

Business rates

Paid to your local council with your rates account reference.

Self Assessment

For sole traders paying their own Self Assessment bill.

Why pay a tax bill by credit card?

Keep your cash where it is

Paying by credit card can leave the money in your account for up to 56 days, until your card statement is due. How long exactly depends on your card's billing cycle and when in the cycle you pay. Useful when a tax deadline lands before the money you are owed has come in.

Earn on your biggest payments

A tax bill is often one of the largest payments a business makes. On a rewards card, that is points or cashback you would otherwise miss.

One flat fee, shown upfront

You see the exact 4.9% fee before you confirm. It works out as a small cost per day over the card cycle, often less than an overdraft or a late-payment penalty. No subscription, you only pay when you use it.

Pay HMRC by credit card: FAQ

Can I pay HMRC with a credit card?

Not directly. HMRC stopped accepting personal credit cards in January 2018 and only takes corporate credit cards with a fee. Through Payko you can pay with a Visa or Mastercard credit card: you pay Payko by card, and HMRC receives a standard bank transfer.

Which taxes can I pay?

Business tax bills including VAT and Corporation Tax, plus business rates. Sole traders can also pay their Self Assessment.

Will HMRC know I used a credit card?

No. HMRC receives a normal bank transfer with your reference. There is nothing for them to set up and nothing changes on their side.

What is the fee?

A flat 4.9% per payment, shown in full before you confirm. No subscription, you only pay when you make a payment. Payments from £100.

Is it safe?

Payments are processed by our payment partner, an FCA authorised payment provider, with 3-D Secure on every transaction. Payko never holds your money.

Payments are processed by our payment partner, an FCA authorised payment provider. Payko never holds your money. This page is general information, not tax or financial advice.