Self assessment tax deadline 31 January 2009, you can now pay your tax bill by credit card

The deadline for filing your 2007-08 self assessment tax return, 31 January 2009, is fast approaching. Miss this date and you will automatically get a £100 fine.

If you are filing your tax return at this late stage then it is important that your tax bill, any tax you owe, is also paid by this deadline. If you don’t then interest will be charged on your outstanding tax bill.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are seeking to make online payments easier. They accept payment by debit card and also now accept payment by credit card.

There is a 1.25% non-refundable transaction fee if you pay by credit card.

Payment by credit card, rather than debit card, could also ultimately cost more if you incur interest charges from your card issuer on your outstanding credit card balance.

HMRC accept payment using the following cards as issued by any UK bank: Visa Credit & Debit cards, Visa Electron, Solo, MasterCard and Maestro.

It is easy to pay you just use the BillPay Online Payment service.

Be aware that particularly at this time, as we approach the tax deadline, fraudsters are targeting taxpayers and trying to get personal details by advising them that they are due a refund.