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How HMRC uses debt enforcement powers, debt collection agencies and what happens if you live abroad when you do not pay your tax bill.

• Updated: 12 September 2025

Contact HM Revenue and Customs if you cannot pay your tax bill - get more time to pay or pay in instalments.

• Overview

  If you cannot pay your tax bill in full, you may be able to set up a…

• Setting up a payment plan

  You may be able to set up a payment plan to pay your overdue tax bill in…

• How much you'll pay

  The amount you’ll be asked to pay each month will be based on how much you…

• If you do not contact HMRC or refuse to pay

  HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will always try to contact you if you miss a…

• Help and advice

  If you’re in England or Wales, Money Helper can give you more information…

Find out what help you can get to help you manage your debts.

The DMO carries out the government’s debt management policy of minimising financing costs over the long term, taking account of risk. We minimise the cost of offsetting the government’s net cash flows over time, while operating in a risk appetite...

• Updated: 15 April 2021

Website of Fylde Borough Council

• Updated: 26 June 2025

Check if you can claim for bad debt relief if a customer is insolvent and can no longer pay what they owe for taxable aggregate.

• Updated: 17 April 2025

Guidance for creditors of a debt that has been placed in a ‘breathing space’.

• Updated: 22 July 2021

Website of London Borough of Lambeth

• Updated: 26 June 2025

How to prioritise and reduce your debts, and where to get free debt advice

• Updated: 21 December 2017

Find out how to account for VAT and who to contact if you're an insolvency practitioner and you're appointed over insolvent VAT-registered businesses.

• Updated: 23 October 2025