What will happen if you do not pay your tax bill

Everyone is different, so the help we offer varies according to your needs.

If you cannot pay the tax you owe in full and on time, HMRC can work with you to find a way for you to pay what you owe:

If we contact you at any time you must respond as soon as possible so we can agree a way forward if you need support.

Contact HMRC — if you cannot pay the tax you owe or disagree with the debt amount.

If you are a business with a customer compliance manager then you should speak to us first.

If you have a tax debt, before we take any action — except in cases where we suspect fraud or criminal activity — we will:

You should reply as soon as possible, so we know that you:

We can use our debt enforcement powers to collect outstanding tax if you do not speak to us about how you will pay what you owe.

If you are a resident outside the UK or have assets abroad

We can ask a foreign tax authority to collect the debt for us by using our international recovery agreements if you do not speak to us about paying what you owe.

If you do not engage with HMRC or refuse to pay what you owe

If you do not respond to HMRC or refuse to pay what you owe, we may either:

Visiting you at your home or business address

Ask about your financial situation and your ability to pay.