Since April 2023, HM Revenue and Customs’ app has been used by nearly 100,000 people to pay their self assessment tax bills, amounting to £121 million in total.
HMRC’s most recent statistics show that in the six month period between April and September 2023, the amount of people who utilised the app to pay their self assessment tax charges for 2022 to 2023 was 97,365 – a dramatic rise from the 36,467 taxpayers who paid a total of £34.6 million during the same time span in the previous year.
Since February 2022, individuals have had the ability to pay their self assessment tax bill via the HMRC app which is free and secure.
In January 2023, the app saw the most activity from customers, who paid a grand total of £125,819,051 in taxes – the highest number of customers at 56,738.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:
“We all have busy lives, so it makes sense that more and more customers are choosing to access their personal tax information and pay their tax bill through the HMRC app. It gives them the flexibility and convenience they need – as well as peace of mind that their self assessment is sorted. Go to GOV.UK and search ‘HMRC app’ to find out more.”
How to pay self assessment tax using the HMRC app
This app can provide the quickest and simplest way to pay tax owed through self assessment.
To make a self assessment payment through the HMRC app, you can follow the instructions in the HMRC video tutorial here.
If you haven’t already downloaded the HMRC app People who do not possess a Government Gateway user ID and password will need to present two types of evidence to authenticate your identity.
If you owe self assessment tax you can make use of a notification system to remind you when you need to make payments. All you have to do is go to the ‘Self Assessment‘ section in the app and select the option to ‘set a reminder’.
This is a handy function which helps reduce the chances of missing the SA payment deadlines (and penalties).
Self assessment deadline for 22/23 tax year
Individuals must file their return for the 2022-2023 tax year and pay any necessary taxes no later than January 31, 2024.
Through the app customers can settle their bills and obtain a refund of any overpaid income tax.
It’s important to include bank account information on your tax return if you are due an income tax refund so it can be repaid by HMRC quickly and safely.
HMRC wants to assist taxpayers who cannot pay their self assessment income tax bill in full. If the amount owed is less than £30,000 you may be eligible to set up a Time to Pay arrangement online without talking to HMRC.
To side step potential SA penalties anyone who believes they no longer need to file a self assessment tax return for the 2022-2023 tax year should promptly contact HMRC to tell them.
Not downloaded the HMRC app yet?
HMRC’s app has many capabilities and is accessible to all, not just those who are required to use the self assessment system.
The app is typically the most straightforward method for individuals with a self assessment tax return to get their hands on essential details such as their Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), National Insurance number, and PAYE data required to finish off their tax return.
The HMRC app can be located on the Apple App Store and Google Play with a current rating of 4.8 stars on the App Store and 4.3 stars on Google Play.
HMRC’s digital assistant is available to help you find any information you need and, if you can’t, you can request to speak with a knowledgeable adviser.
