{"id":31419,"date":"2024-01-24T15:55:05","date_gmt":"2024-01-24T15:55:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/?p=31419"},"modified":"2025-09-16T13:21:47","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T12:21:47","slug":"i-cant-afford-my-tax-bill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/self-assessment-basics\/i-cant-afford-my-tax-bill\/","title":{"rendered":"I can\u2019t afford my tax bill"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you can\u2019t afford your tax bill, don\u2019t worry. There is support available. The first and most important thing to do, though, is to notify HMRC of your situation. The sooner they are aware of what\u2019s going on, the faster they can provide you with help.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div> <!-- .c-body -->\n\n<div class=\"b-highlight-mini m-blue m-align-left\">\n    <div class=\"b-block-body\">\n        <p>\ud83d\udea8You can call the Self Assessment Payment Helpline on <strong>0300 200 3822<\/strong> \ud83d\udea8<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div> <!-- .b-highlight-mini -->\n\n<div class=\"c-body\">\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What options do I have if I can\u2019t afford my tax bill?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to paying your tax bill, HMRC offer some flexibility.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like us, they understand that everyone\u2019s circumstances are different, and they take this into consideration when it comes to paying your tax bill. So, here are a few options to consider:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div> <!-- .c-body -->\n\n<div class=\"b-highlight-mini m-yellow m-align-left\">\n    <div class=\"b-block-body\">\n        <ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/difficulties-paying-hmrc\/pay-in-instalments\"><strong>Paying in instalments <\/strong><\/a>&#8211; if you can\u2019t pay your full tax bill on time, you can set up a monthly payment plan with HMRC. The amount you\u2019ll be asked to pay each month will depend on your personal and financial circumstances.<!-- \/wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/glossary\/reasonable-excuse\/\"><strong>Do you have a reasonable excuse?<\/strong> <\/a>&#8211; HMRC will allow you to appeal a fine for paying your tax bill late if you can provide a reasonable excuse.<!-- \/wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/get-help-hmrc-extra-support\"><strong>Extra support <\/strong><\/a>based on your health &#8211; you can get extra support from HMRC if your health condition or personal circumstances make it difficult for you to pay your tax bill.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div> <!-- .b-highlight-mini -->\n\n<div class=\"c-body\">\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Paying in instalments&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Paying in instalments means you\u2019ll still pay your tax bill, but the cost will be spread out across a number of months.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To set up a payment plan you\u2019ll need the following things:<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div> <!-- .c-body -->\n\n<div class=\"b-highlight-mini m-nude m-align-left\">\n    <div class=\"b-block-body\">\n        <ul>\n<li>Your <a href=\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/glossary\/utr-number\/\">unique taxpayer reference number<\/a> (UTR) &#8211; a ten-digit code used by HMRC to identify you<!-- \/wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --><\/li>\n<li>Your UK bank account details &#8211; you must be authorised to set up a Direct Debit<!-- \/wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --><\/li>\n<li>Details of any previous payments you\u2019ve missed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div> <!-- .b-highlight-mini -->\n\n<div class=\"c-body\">\n\n\n\n\n<p>You can set up both a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tax.service.gov.uk\/pay-what-you-owe-in-instalments\/govuk\/start\">Self Assessment payment plan<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tax.service.gov.uk\/set-up-a-payment-plan\/govuk\/epaye\/start\">employers\u2019 PAYE payment plan<\/a> online.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll also need your <a href=\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/self-assessment-basics\/find-government-gateway-user-id\/\">Government Gateway ID <\/a>to hand, which can be found on previous emails from HMRC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you can\u2019t find this information, don\u2019t worry! You can also call HMRC on <strong>0300 2003600 <\/strong>to retrieve your User ID and\/or password instead.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When setting up your payment plan, HMRC may ask you for some of the following details, so try to get it all together ready for the call to avoid any unnecessary delays:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div> <!-- .c-body -->\n\n<div class=\"b-highlight-mini m-blue m-align-left\">\n    <div class=\"b-block-body\">\n        <ul>\n<li>How much you can repay each month<!-- \/wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --><\/li>\n<li>Are there any other taxes you need to pay<!-- \/wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --><\/li>\n<li>How much money you earn<!-- \/wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --><\/li>\n<li>What savings or investments you have<!-- \/wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --><\/li>\n<li>How much you usually spend each month<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div> <!-- .b-highlight-mini -->\n\n<div class=\"c-body\">\n\n\n\n\n<p>By answering these questions, HMRC will be able to take into account things such as rent, food, utility bills, and fixed outgoings when determining the cost of your monthly payments.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your circumstances change, don\u2019t worry! Simply contact HMRC and they\u2019ll alter your payment plan in line with changes to things such as your employment, dependents, etc.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does HMRC consider a reasonable excuse?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/tax-appeals\/reasonable-excuses\">reasonable excuse<\/a> is a reason that HMRC will accept if you want to appeal a fine for submitting or paying your tax return late. Here are some examples:<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div> <!-- .c-body -->\n\n<div class=\"b-highlight-mini m-purple m-align-left\">\n    <div class=\"b-block-body\">\n        <ul>\n<li>You or someone in your family passed away around the time of the tax deadline<!-- \/wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --><\/li>\n<li>You were in the hospital<!-- \/wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --><\/li>\n<li>The HMRC website wasn\u2019t working when you were trying to submit<!-- \/wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --><\/li>\n<li>The post made a mistake or experiences delays<!-- \/wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --><\/li>\n<li>A fire, flood, or other disaster stopped you from completing your tax return on time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div> <!-- .b-highlight-mini -->\n\n<div class=\"c-body\">\n\n\n\n\n<p>If any of these are true for your situation, still try to send your tax return or pay your tax bill as soon as you can to avoid a fine.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To get a better understanding of your situation and the way delays could impact what HMRC charge, take a look at our late payment penalties calculator below. The more you know about your situation, the better your position to resolve things.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div data-react=\"tooltip-provider\"><\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"c-block-calculator\">\n\n    <div class=\"c-block-calculator__container\">\n\n\n    <div data-react=\"tax-penalties-calculator\" data-options='{\n        \"useCompact\": 0\n    }'>\n\n        <!-- Default calc code -->\n\n        <div class=\"sc-cxpRKc weftt\"><div class=\"sc-efQUeY ddzLiC\"><div class=\"sc-cTApHj bpVzfk\"><h3 class=\"sc-bBHHQT dRArWW\">Your situation<\/h3><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMzQiIGhlaWdodD0iNzYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAzNCA3NiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48cGF0aCBkPSJNMzIuMjUgMzQuOTMzNVYxLjg0OTYxSDIwLjE0OTlDMTcuNzQ5OSA5LjA0OTYxIDExLjA1IDEzLjY0OTYgMS43NSAxNC4xNDk2VjI2Ljk0OTZDNy45NSAyNi45NDk2IDEzLjg0OTkgMjUuMDQ5NiAxNy44NDk5IDIxLjg0OTZWMzQuOTMzNU0xNy44NDk5IDU1LjUxODhWNzQuMDQ5NkgzMi4yNVY1OS40OTQ1VjU1LjUxODgiIHN0cm9rZT0iYmxhY2siIHN0cm9rZS13aWR0aD0iMiIgc3Ryb2tlLWxpbmVjYXA9InJvdW5kIiBzdHJva2UtbGluZWpvaW49InJvdW5kIi8+PC9zdmc+\" alt=\"Outlined number one\" class=\"sc-jObXwK jEieje\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,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\" alt=\"Image of an arrow\" class=\"sc-dPiKHq finhpR\"><\/div><div class=\"sc-cNKpQo\"><form><div class=\"sc-giYgFv igIeJL\"><div class=\"Form__FormRowTitle-sc-32vt5e-2 coHrqe\">Which tax year is this for?<\/div><div class=\"Form__FormRowItem-sc-32vt5e-3\"><select name=\"taxYear\" width=\"100%\" class=\"Select__Container-sc-c9lp90-0 iTqHPI\"><option value=\"taxYearNone\">Select<\/option><option value=\"taxYear2024\">2024\/25<\/option><option value=\"taxYear2023\">2023\/24<\/option><option value=\"taxYear2022\">2022\/23<\/option><option value=\"taxYear2021\">2021\/22<\/option><option value=\"taxYear2020\">2020\/21<\/option><option value=\"taxYear2019\">2019\/20<\/option><option value=\"taxYear2018\">2018\/19<\/option><option value=\"taxYear2017\">2017\/18<\/option><option value=\"taxYear2016\">2016\/17<\/option><option value=\"taxYear2015\">2015\/16<\/option><option value=\"taxYear2014\">2014\/15<\/option><option value=\"taxYear2013\">2013\/14<\/option><option value=\"taxYear2012\">2012\/13<\/option><\/select><\/div><\/div><\/form><\/div><\/div><div opacity=\"0.6\" class=\"sc-AjmZR iQHsnJ\"><div class=\"sc-khQdMy gTRm\"><h3 class=\"sc-jgrIVw dzhXSR\">Results<\/h3><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,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\" alt=\"Outlined number two\" class=\"sc-hUpaWb jkAOjo\"><\/div><div class=\"sc-gSQGeZ dDZEmE\"><ul class=\"sc-ikJzcn cgEyHR\"><div class=\"sc-hiCivh hzJALo\">Choose the tax year<\/div><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n        <!-- END Default calc code -->\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div> <!-- .c-container -->\n<\/div> <!-- .c-block-calculator -->\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do I qualify for extra support?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>HMRC offers extra support to those who may be struggling to file their tax return because of a medical condition or other personal circumstances. Here are some reasons:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div> <!-- .c-body -->\n\n<div class=\"b-highlight-mini m-mint m-align-left\">\n    <div class=\"b-block-body\">\n        <ul>\n<li>You have a mental, physical, cognitive, or sensory disability<!-- \/wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --><\/li>\n<li>You\u2019re struggling to afford basic necessities like food or shelter<!-- \/wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --><\/li>\n<li>You\u2019re a victim of domestic and\/or economic abuse<!-- \/wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --><\/li>\n<li>You\u2019re receiving treatment in hospital<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div> <!-- .b-highlight-mini -->\n\n<div class=\"c-body\">\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What if I don\u2019t qualify for any of the above?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don\u2019t qualify for HMRC\u2019s extra support, please don\u2019t worry. Financial difficulty can feel totally overwhelming, and it\u2019s important not to forget that you don\u2019t have to weather it alone. Organisations such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.samaritans.org\/how-we-can-help\/contact-samaritan\/\"><strong>Samaritans<\/strong><\/a> are there to listen to you, no matter what, no matter why. You can call them anytime, day or night, no problem is too big or small. If you\u2019d like someone to talk to, call <strong>116 123<\/strong> or email&nbsp; <a href=\"mailto:jo@samaritans.org\"><strong>jo@samaritans.org<\/strong><\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For tax-specific help, you can also contact organisations such as <a href=\"https:\/\/taxaid.org.uk\/\"><strong>TaxAid<\/strong><\/a> and\/or <a href=\"https:\/\/taxvol.org.uk\/\"><strong>Tax Help for Older People<\/strong><\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For help managing your finances and\/or debt you can speak to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.moneyhelper.org.uk\/en#Hot-topics\"><strong>Money Helper<\/strong><\/a>. Their help is confidential and free to use, whether that\u2019s online or over the phone.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">We\u2019re here to help&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have further questions, we\u2019re also here to help!\u00a0 For any tax-related support minus jargon, check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/guides-useful-information\/\">resources<\/a> section on our website or chat to our support team (email <strong>support@taxfix.com<\/strong> or message via the <strong>live chat <\/strong>on our <a href=\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/\">homepage<\/a>). They\u2019re available to you for any tax-specific questions you may have.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Remember, if you can\u2019t afford to pay your tax bill, let HMRC know as soon as you can. Not only will this stop you from incurring additional penalties and fines but they\u2019ll also be able to help to offer you a solution.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you can\u2019t afford your tax bill, don\u2019t worry. There is support available. The first and most important thing to do, though, is to notify HMRC of your situation. The sooner they are aware of what\u2019s going on, the faster they can provide you with help. What options do I have if I can\u2019t afford [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[436,435],"tags":[102,411],"class_list":["post-31419","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-deadlines-and-penalties","category-self-assessment-basics","tag-hmrc","tag-self-employed"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>I can\u2019t afford my tax bill &#8211; Taxfix<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you can\u2019t afford your tax bill, don\u2019t worry. There is support available. The first and most important thing to do, is to notify HMRC.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/self-assessment-basics\/i-cant-afford-my-tax-bill\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"I can\u2019t afford my tax bill &#8211; Taxfix\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If you can\u2019t afford your tax bill, don\u2019t worry. There is support available. The first and most important thing to do, is to notify HMRC.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/self-assessment-basics\/i-cant-afford-my-tax-bill\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Taxfix\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/taxfix_uk\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-01-24T15:55:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-09-16T12:21:47+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/eyJhc3NldF9pZCI6NTY3OH0_taxfix-gmbh_UwIjumOzeyPqNyDgJ1bVY_OROVADgg2mBtzSX1XQ7A0.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"628\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Gemma Doswell\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@Taxfix\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@Taxfix\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/self-assessment-basics\/i-cant-afford-my-tax-bill\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/self-assessment-basics\/i-cant-afford-my-tax-bill\/\",\"name\":\"I can\u2019t afford my tax bill &#8211; Taxfix\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2024-01-24T15:55:05+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-09-16T12:21:47+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/#\/schema\/person\/008d0d859b00d5809e35d143dff5dd4a\"},\"description\":\"If you can\u2019t afford your tax bill, don\u2019t worry. There is support available. The first and most important thing to do, is to notify HMRC.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/self-assessment-basics\/i-cant-afford-my-tax-bill\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/self-assessment-basics\/i-cant-afford-my-tax-bill\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/self-assessment-basics\/i-cant-afford-my-tax-bill\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"I can\u2019t afford my tax bill\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/\",\"name\":\"Taxfix\",\"description\":\"Taxes as they should be done\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/#\/schema\/person\/008d0d859b00d5809e35d143dff5dd4a\",\"name\":\"Gemma Doswell\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0ee123e7e4df1efafc651aa2721860dbf529c4458f2fd6d13cdb62e8f05ffc2f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0ee123e7e4df1efafc651aa2721860dbf529c4458f2fd6d13cdb62e8f05ffc2f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Gemma Doswell\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"I can\u2019t afford my tax bill &#8211; Taxfix","description":"If you can\u2019t afford your tax bill, don\u2019t worry. There is support available. The first and most important thing to do, is to notify HMRC.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/self-assessment-basics\/i-cant-afford-my-tax-bill\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"I can\u2019t afford my tax bill &#8211; Taxfix","og_description":"If you can\u2019t afford your tax bill, don\u2019t worry. There is support available. The first and most important thing to do, is to notify HMRC.","og_url":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/self-assessment-basics\/i-cant-afford-my-tax-bill\/","og_site_name":"Taxfix","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/taxfix_uk","article_published_time":"2024-01-24T15:55:05+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-09-16T12:21:47+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":628,"url":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/eyJhc3NldF9pZCI6NTY3OH0_taxfix-gmbh_UwIjumOzeyPqNyDgJ1bVY_OROVADgg2mBtzSX1XQ7A0.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Gemma Doswell","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@Taxfix","twitter_site":"@Taxfix","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/self-assessment-basics\/i-cant-afford-my-tax-bill\/","url":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/self-assessment-basics\/i-cant-afford-my-tax-bill\/","name":"I can\u2019t afford my tax bill &#8211; Taxfix","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/#website"},"datePublished":"2024-01-24T15:55:05+00:00","dateModified":"2025-09-16T12:21:47+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/#\/schema\/person\/008d0d859b00d5809e35d143dff5dd4a"},"description":"If you can\u2019t afford your tax bill, don\u2019t worry. There is support available. The first and most important thing to do, is to notify HMRC.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/self-assessment-basics\/i-cant-afford-my-tax-bill\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/self-assessment-basics\/i-cant-afford-my-tax-bill\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/self-assessment-basics\/i-cant-afford-my-tax-bill\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"I can\u2019t afford my tax bill"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/#website","url":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/","name":"Taxfix","description":"Taxes as they should be done","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/#\/schema\/person\/008d0d859b00d5809e35d143dff5dd4a","name":"Gemma Doswell","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0ee123e7e4df1efafc651aa2721860dbf529c4458f2fd6d13cdb62e8f05ffc2f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0ee123e7e4df1efafc651aa2721860dbf529c4458f2fd6d13cdb62e8f05ffc2f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Gemma Doswell"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31419","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31419"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31419\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41939,"href":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31419\/revisions\/41939"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31419"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31419"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31419"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}