Pay tax as a pension scheme administrator
How to pay charges on payments from registered pension schemes and the time it takes for payments to reach HMRC.
As a pension scheme administrator of a registered pension scheme you must send pension scheme reports and pay tax charges to HMRC.
Before you pay a tax charge, you should read guidance on:
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which charges you should report when submitting an Accounting for Tax Return or an event report
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how to deal with charges arising from an unauthorised payment and when you must submit an event report
Making payments on charges arising from your Accounting for Tax return
The deadline for reporting and paying the tax charges is the same.
| Tax period | Filing and payment deadline |
|---|---|
| 1 January to 31 March | 15 May |
| 1 April to 30 June | 14 August |
| 1 July to 30 September | 14 November |
| 1 October to 31 December | 14 February |
Where to find your 14-character payment reference number
You can find your 14-character payment reference number starting with X:
- on your online receipt if you submit your return through the Pension schemes online service
- in the ‘payments and charges’ screen for each return submitted through the Managing pension schemes service
Making payments on charges arising from an event report you’ve submitted
When you must submit an event report
If a reportable event occurs within a tax year, you must submit your event report by 31 January following the end of the tax year when the event occurred.
If a scheme has been wound up you must submit the event report within 3 months of the date the scheme wound up or by the 31 January deadline, whichever is earlier.
Scheme sanction charges on unauthorised payments
If the event you’ve reported is an unauthorised payment, HMRC will also raise an assessment for the scheme sanction charge.
You have 30 days from the date we issue the assessment notice to pay. Late payment penalties become payable if the tax still has not been paid 30 days after the due date.
Interest will be charged if it is not paid by 31 January following the tax year in which the charge arose.
Making payments on account
To avoid or minimise interest being charged scheme administrators can make payments on account. Use your 14-character payment reference number starting with X so we can make sure payments are properly allocated.
Help with paying charges after submitting an event report
If you need to make a payment after you’ve submitted an event report, email: pensions.businessdelivery@hmrc.gov.uk. We’ll tell you how you can pay the charges.
Unauthorised payments charge
If the member has completed and signed a mandate, you’ll also be required to pay the unauthorised payments charge on their behalf.
When to pay
Make sure you pay HMRC by the deadline or you may have to pay a penalty.
The time you need to allow depends on how you pay.
| Payment method | Time allowance |
|---|---|
| Approve a payment through your online bank account | Same or next day |
| Online or telephone banking (Faster Payments) | Same or next day |
| Bacs | 3 working days |
| CHAPS | Same or next day |
| Government Banking Service | Same or next day |
| Online debit or corporate credit card | Same or next day |
| At your bank or building society | Same or next day |
| By cheque through the post | 3 working days |
If the deadline is on a weekend or bank holiday, make sure your payment reaches HMRC on the last working day before (unless you’re paying by Faster Payments).
Pay online
You can pay by approving a payment through your online bank account by selecting the ‘pay by bank account’ option.
You’ll need your 14-character payment reference number starting with X.
You’ll then be directed to sign in to your online or mobile banking account to approve your payment.
The payment is usually instant but sometimes it takes up to 2 hours to show in your account.
You’ll need to have your online banking details ready to pay this way.
Alternatively, you can make a full payment online using a debit or corporate credit card. There is a non-refundable fee if you use a corporate credit or debit card. You cannot pay by personal credit card.
Your payment will be accepted on the date you make it and not the date it reaches HMRC’s account (including weekends and bank holidays).
You must make sure the details you enter match those held by your bank or card provider. For example, the billing address should match the one your card is currently registered with.
Pay by bank transfer
If you pay by CHAPS (Clearing House Automated Payment System) or Faster Payments, you can submit your payment on the same or next day.
If you pay by Bacs (Bankers Automated Clearing System), allow 3 working days for the payment to reach HMRC.
You should use your 14-character payment reference number starting with X.
We recommend you check your bank’s processing times and maximum transaction limits before you pay.
Account details to use if your account is in the UK
Use the following details to make a payment if your account is in the UK:
- sort code — 08 32 10
- account number — 12001020
- account name — HMRC Shipley
Account details to use if your account is overseas
As the scheme administrator of a registered pension scheme you should use these details to make a payment if your account is overseas:
- account number (IBAN) — GB03 BARC 2011 4783 9776 92
- bank identifier code (BIC) or Swift code — BARCGB22
- account name — HMRC Shipley
You must make all payments in sterling (GBP).
If needed, you can provide your bank with the following HMRC banking address:
Barclays Bank plc
1 Churchill Place
London
United Kingdom
E14 5HP
If you’re the manager of an overseas pension scheme you should contact HMRC before paying the overseas transfers charge.
The Government Banking Service
Employers such as government departments and health authorities who have a Government Banking Service account can pay using the Government Banking Service online service.
If you enter HMRC’s Government Banking Service account details incorrectly there may be a delay updating your record, or your payment may not reach HMRC.
As long as you make a payment by the Government Banking Service deadline it will reach HMRC on the same day.
Pay at your bank or building society
You can pay by cash or cheque made payable to ‘HM Revenue and Customs only’ and write your 14-character payment reference number starting with an X on the back of the cheque.
Your payment may be delayed if you use the wrong reference number.
HMRC will accept your payment on the date you make it and not the date it reaches HMRC’s account, if you pay between Monday and Friday.
Pay by cheque
Make your cheque payable to ‘HM Revenue and Customs only’.
Write your 14-character payment reference number stating with X on the back of the cheque.
Do not fold the cheque or attach it to other papers.
You should allow 3 working days for your payment to reach HMRC. Send your cheque to:
HM Revenue and Customs
Direct
BX5 5BD
You do not need to include a street name, city name or PO box with this address.
If you’re sending your payment by post, you can include a letter to ask for a receipt from HMRC.
Last updated 27 May 2022 + show all updates
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Information about approving a payment through your online bank account has been added.
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Added translation
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Information about how to make a payment following the submission of an event report has been updated.
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Information about a non-refundable fee for corporate debit cards has been updated.
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Where to find a charge reference on the Managing Pension Scheme service and using a charge reference when making a payment on account has been updated.
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Information about a non-refundable fee for corporate debit cards being introduced from the 1 November 2020 has been added.
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Information about contacting us for a charge reference and when using your pension scheme tax reference (PSTR) to make a payment has been added.
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Welsh translation has been added.
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Sections about reporting and making payments on charges arising from your Accounting for Tax Return or Event and what reference to use if you’re making a payment, have been added to the guidance.
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Guidance on paying by cheque through the post has been updated.
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Guide updated to show payments can't be made with a personal credit card.
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Payments can no longer be made at a Post Office.
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Guidance updated to show it won't be possible to make a payment with a personal credit card from 13 January 2018.
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Guidance updated to show it won't be possible to pay at the Post Office from 15 December 2017.
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Information about payments at a Post Office from December 2017 has been added to the guide.
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Change of address for ordering payslips.
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Guidance has been updated to advise that all Post Offices don't accept payment by cheque.
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Credit card fees have changed.
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Overseas payment details updated.
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The pay by cheque through the post address has changed to HM Revenue and Customs, Direct, BX5 5BD.
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Notification that from 1 January 2016 changes will be introduced to limit the number of credit and debit card payments that can be made to any single tax regime within a given period.
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The online debit or credit card non-refundable fee has been increased to 1.5%.
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HMRC have launched a new payment service - you may be directed to WorldPay if you pay online by debit or credit card. The new service uses a different service provider to BillPay.
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Pension scheme administrators can pay tax owing to HM Revenue and Customs at the Post Office (up to a maximum of £10,000)
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First published.