12/10/2026
It's a fair way off January yet, but if last year's tax bill gave you a nasty surprise, now is a good time to think about it rather than in the last week of the month with the deadline bearing down.
If you know a payment is going to be difficult, HMRC's Time to Pay arrangement lets you spread what you owe over instalments rather than finding it all in one go. If you think you’ll struggle to pay, it is worth acting early. If you are up to date with your tax payments, you may be able to make payments towards your January bill in advance using HMRC’s Budget Payment Plan. If you will not be able to pay the bill in full by the deadline, HMRC may agree a Time to Pay arrangement allowing you to pay by instalments.
A Time to Pay arrangement can reduce or avoid late-payment penalties where it is agreed before the relevant penalty trigger dates and you keep to the agreed payments. It is not automatic, and late-payment interest will normally continue to run on the outstanding balance.
Clients who seek advice early have more time to understand their options and, where appropriate, approach HMRC before penalties and recovery action become an issue. If your January bill is likely to be a stretch, get in touch with ApC Accountants today and we'll help you plan ahead properly.