The next step

To alternative ways to pay your tax bill

[]

HMRC’s new payment service

Card payments. In December 2014 HMRC introduced a new online alternative for you if you plan to settle your tax bills using a debit or credit card. We believe that, for now, it will only affect payments of self-assessment and VAT.

New card handler. Essentially, the new service, which is operated by Worldpay, is replacing the current BillPay system which has been operated by Santander for the last ten years. You’ll only know which service you’re being directed to when you go to HMRC’s website to pay. The only point worth noting is that the Worldpay service is operating in beta mode, which is techy terminology for “not yet fully tested”. Payments will still be credited against your tax bill the same day or the next at the latest. If you don’t want to use the new service, HMRC provides a wide range of other ways to take your money from you (see The next step ).

For a link to alternative ways to pay your tax bill, visit http://tipsandadvice-tax.co.uk/download (TX 15.08.08).