The second self-assessment payment on account deadline for 2019/20 was Friday 31 July 2020. As announced by the Chancellor in March, taxpayers could choose to defer this payment on account in whole or in part to 31 January 2021. However, they are reminded that by doing so three payments may fall due on this date (the 2^nd deferred payment on account for 2019/20, the balancing payment due for 2019/20 (if any) and the 1^st payment on account for 2020/21). The detailed guidance on deferring payment to 2020/21 should be referred to.

Remember that two payments on account are generally required every year unless:

• the last self-assessment tax bill was less than £1,000; or
• the taxpayer has already paid more than 80 percent of all the tax owed.

The payment due is generally half of the previous year’s tax bill (2018/19) with any balancing payment for 2019/20 due by 31 January 2021.

Please note that HMRC has advised Chartered Accountants Ireland that self-assessment statements recently issued automatically showed the due date for the 31 July 2020 instalment as 31 January 2021. However not every taxpayer may wish to defer this payment. Recently issued statements also refer taxpayers to the relevant page where there is more information regarding deferral.

We understand that the relevant due date has been shown as 31 January 2021 for every self-assessment taxpayer as a procedural requirement so that interest is not charged where a taxpayer does defer in whole or in part to 31 January 2021.