Corporation Tax guide
How to pay Corporation Tax to HMRC safely, find the correct 17 character reference, choose a payment method and avoid allocating tax to the wrong period.
Short answer
Pay Corporation Tax through HMRC online banking, Faster Payments, CHAPS, Direct Debit, debit or corporate credit card. Always use the 17 character Corporation Tax payment reference for the correct accounting period.
Written and reviewed by Waqas Sagar Member of ICAEW, Fellow of ACCA, Fellow of AAT, a double graduate and entrepreneur at heart, helping startups grow and serving thousands of businesses nationwide with an excellent team. Published by LimitedCompany.Accountants, 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Reviewed 12 September 2026 against 2026/27 UK rates and current Companies House and HMRC guidance.
Regulated by
Regulated & AML supervisor
AAT fellow member
Xero Gold PartnerCertified advisor
QuickBooks PartnerCertified ProAdvisor100+ yearsCombined team experienceFully insuredUp to £2m indemnityTo pay Corporation Tax correctly, use an HMRC approved method and the period-specific reference shown in the company's online account or payment reminder. The company UTR alone is not the complete payment reference.
Use the correct 17 character reference
Allow time for the payment method
Pay by the statutory deadline
Check allocation in the HMRC account
You need the amount due, the payment deadline and the 17 character payment reference for the relevant accounting period. It normally contains the company's 10 digit UTR plus extra characters identifying the period.
Copy it from the HMRC online account, payslip or official reminder. A reference for last year can send the payment to the wrong period and leave the current balance appearing unpaid.
Online or telephone banking through Faster Payments, CHAPS and Bacs are available. HMRC also accepts Direct Debit, debit card and corporate credit card through its online service, and payments through a bank or building society where the company has the correct paying-in slip.
Processing time depends on the method. Faster Payments and card payments are generally quicker, while Bacs, Direct Debit set up and payments at a bank may need several working days. Use GOV.UK's current payment page to confirm timing and bank details rather than copying account details from an email.
Most small companies pay nine months and one day after the end of the accounting period. A company with a 31 March 2027 year end normally pays by 1 January 2028. The CT600 itself is due later, usually 12 months after the period end.
Prepare the accounts early enough to calculate taxable profit, capital allowances, losses, marginal relief and any associated company adjustment before money is sent.
Save the bank confirmation and check the HMRC online account after processing. If the payment is missing or sits against the wrong period, contact HMRC with the amount, date, reference and bank transaction details.
Overpayments can usually be reallocated or repaid. Do not simply deduct an old overpayment from a new liability unless HMRC's account shows that credit against the right period.
HMRC will not ask you to move money to a safe account. Start from GOV.UK or the company's HMRC account, verify bank details there and never rely on changed payment details sent by an unexpected email.
Rates and deadlines are reviewed for 2026/27, but HMRC interest rates and individual circumstances can change the result. Check the linked official guidance or ask us before acting.
Primary references
Local help
We work with company directors across London and Surrey from our office at 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Pick your area, or send the form below and we will call you back.
Frequently asked
Yes, using Faster Payments, CHAPS or Bacs and the correct HMRC account and 17 character reference shown on GOV.UK.
HMRC accepts debit cards and corporate credit cards online. Personal credit cards are not accepted and corporate card fees may apply.
Use the 17 character Corporation Tax reference for that accounting period, not only the 10 digit UTR.
It depends on the method. Faster Payments and cards are usually quicker; Bacs and a new Direct Debit take longer.
Yes. HMRC may pay taxable credit interest from six months and 13 days after the start of the accounting period until the due date.
Contact HMRC as soon as possible to discuss Time to Pay. Interest continues, but an agreed plan can prevent stronger recovery action.
Keep bank statements, sales and platform reports, purchase invoices, payroll records, VAT workings, finance agreements and Companies House correspondence. We confirm the exact list at onboarding and identify gaps before a filing deadline becomes urgent.
The fee depends on transaction volume, record quality, VAT and payroll requirements, historic catch-up and the level of reporting needed. We agree a fixed scope and price before technical work starts, with published packages available on our fees page.
Yes. We request professional clearance, collect the prior records and authorities, check the next Companies House and HMRC deadlines, and give you one clear handover list. The process is normally completed remotely.
Yes. We work through secure cloud records, scheduled reviews and digital approvals, while keeping a named team available by phone, video call and email. Clients can also visit our Morden office by appointment.
Included approach
Check the current rules
Deadlines, thresholds and filing rules change. GOV.UK and Companies House publish the current statutory position; advice should then be applied to your company’s circumstances.
Talk to an accountant
Share your next deadline, accounting problem or growth question. We will reply with a clear next step and quote any technical work before it begins.
Chat with ACCOTAX on WhatsAppPick a time that suits you and a qualified accountant will call you about your company, deadlines and fees.
Appointments run Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm. Your confirmation is emailed straight away.
Four London offices
Work with us entirely online, or sit down with your accountant at whichever office suits you. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm. Office visits are by appointment only, so please book before coming in.
Free, no obligation
Pick a time that suits you and a qualified accountant will call you about your company, deadlines and fees.
Appointments run monday to friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm. Your confirmation is emailed straight away.
