Pay a penalty charge for not registering or maintaining a trust
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-31)

How to pay a penalty charge if you have failed to register or maintain a trust, and how long it takes for your payment to reach HMRC.

When to pay

You will need to make sure payment reaches us within 30 days of the date we issue the penalty. This date will be on the letter we sent to you.

If the deadline is on a weekend or bank holiday, make sure your payment reaches HMRC by the end of the previous working day.

What you need

You need your 14-character reference number starting with X.

You can find this and the amount you need to pay on the letter we sent you about the penalty charge.

If you use an incorrect reference number:
- there will be a delay in the payment being allocated correctly
- you will receive a payment reminder
Pay online

You can pay online using one of the following methods:
- approve a payment through your online bank account
- Direct Debit
- debit or corporate credit card
Pay now (https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/pay/pf-trust/start-journey)

Paying online through your bank account

You can pay by approving a payment through your online bank account by selecting the ‘pay by bank account’ option.

You will be directed to sign in to your online or mobile banking account to approve your payment.

You will need to have your online banking details to hand to pay this way.

The payment is usually instant but can take up to 2 hours to show in your bank account.

Paying online by Direct Debit

Set up a Direct Debit through your HMRC online account (https://www.access.service.gov.uk/authorize?client_id=qLpLcsAsJMK7hcJrR9pqsEV34CwhJN&response_type=code&scope=openid&redirect_uri=https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/bas-gateway/login&nonce=f5fd817f-57e4-4ed7-a885-e7962f7f94ed&state=5987ae3e071f4edc8d9fb12c4ec4f186&ui_locales=en-GB&max_age=0&custom1=session-13a6f9d3-5f73-4d07-a4b9-1950052a0371&acr_values=acr-gg-x).

You’ll need the Government Gateway user ID and password you used when you registered for the account.

You must pay in a different way if you are making a payment of £20 million or more.

Making a single payment

You’ll need to set up a payment each time you pay HMRC.

You should set up the payment at least:
- 5 working days before your return due date (the first time you do it)
- 3 working days before your return due date if you use the same bank details as a previous single payment
The payments will show on your bank statement as ‘HMRC NDDS’.

Paying by debit or corporate credit card

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, your payment will be received on the same or next working day.

If you pay by Bacs (Bankers Automated Clearing System), allow 3 working days for the payment to reach HMRC.

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 — 12529599
- account name — HMRC General Business Tax Receipts
Account details to use if your account is overseas

Use the following details to make payment if your account is overseas:
- account number (IBAN) — GB86 BARC 2005 1740 2043 74
- Business Identifier Code (BIC) — BARCGB22
- account name — HMRC General Business Tax Receipts
You must make all payments in pound sterling. Your bank may charge you if you use any other currency.

If needed, you can provide your bank with the following HMRC banking address:

Barclays Bank PLC1 Churchill PlaceLondonUnited KingdomE14 5HP

Pay at your bank or building society

You can make payment at your own branch, by cheque or cash.

Make sure you:
- use the paying-in slip sent by HMRC
- make the cheque payable to ‘HM Revenue and Customs only’ and write your reference number on the back
HMRC will accept your payment on the date you make it, and not the date it reaches their account, if you pay between Monday to Friday.

If you do not have a paying-in slip

You will need to make payment by using another method.

Pay by cheque

Allow 3 working days for your payment to reach HMRC.

Make your cheque payable to ‘HM Revenue and Customs only’ and write your reference number on the back.

Do not fold the cheque or attach it to other papers.

You can include a letter to ask for a receipt.

Send your cheque to:

HMRCDirectBX5 5BD