Can I pay my Self Assessment bill through my tax code?
Yes, if you owe less than £3,000, already pay tax through PAYE, and HMRC receives your online return by 30 December 2026 or your paper return by 31 October 2026. HMRC then takes the tax from your salary or pension in equal instalments over 12 months.
Checked against GOV.UK on 27 October 2026.
The three conditions
You owe less than £3,000. A part payment to get under £3,000 does not count.
You already pay tax through PAYE, for example as an employee or from a company pension.
Your paper return reached HMRC by 31 October, or your online return by 30 December.
Source: Pay your Self Assessment bill through your tax code
When HMRC cannot collect it this way
You do not have enough PAYE income for HMRC to collect it.
You would pay more than 50% of your PAYE income in tax, or more than twice as much tax as you normally do.
Source: Pay your Self Assessment bill through your tax code
How it is set up
HMRC does it automatically when all three conditions are met, unless you ask it not to on your return. The tax is spread evenly over 12 months alongside your usual deductions.
Source: Pay your Self Assessment bill through your tax code
What CWA does for you
We file early enough for you to have the choice, and tell you whether spreading the bill or paying it in January suits you better.