Yes, it is possible to reduce payments on account if you genuinely expect your next Self Assessment tax bill to be lower than the previous year's. HMRC allows taxpayers to apply for a reduction when profits, rental income, dividends or other taxable income have fallen. However, reducing payments on account incorrectly can result in interest charges — so it's important to get your estimate right. This guide explains who can reduce them, how the process works and when it may be appropriate to do so.
Payments on account are advance payments towards your next Self Assessment tax bill. HMRC introduced this system to spread tax collection across the year rather than taking everything in one lump sum.
HMRC usually requires payments on account when:
The payments are normally made in two instalments, each equal to 50% of your previous year's Income Tax and Class 4 National Insurance bill.
| Payment | Due Date |
|---|---|
| First Payment on Account | 31 January |
| Second Payment on Account | 31 July |
📖 Want the full picture?
Read our complete guide: What Are Payments on Account for Self Assessment?
Yes.
HMRC allows you to reduce payments on account if you reasonably believe your tax liability for the current tax year will be lower than the previous year.
Common reasons for reducing payments on account include:
💡 Did you know?
Many taxpayers overpay each year simply because they do not realise they can request a reduction. If your income has genuinely fallen, you could be entitled to lower your payments on account — improving your cash flow throughout the year.
You can ask HMRC to reduce your payments on account either online or by post. Here's how the process works, step by step.
Calculate your expected taxable income for the current tax year. This includes self-employed profits, rental income, dividends, interest and any other taxable income. Be realistic — don't guess. Your bookkeeping records are essential here.
Work out what your tax bill is likely to be based on your reduced income. Remember to account for the Personal Allowance (£12,570 for 2025/26), tax bands, and National Insurance. If you're unsure, a qualified accountant can calculate this accurately for you.
Log in to your HMRC online account and navigate to the Self Assessment section, or complete Form SA303 and post it to HMRC. You'll need to provide your estimated tax liability for the current year. HMRC may ask you to explain how you calculated the reduction if they review your return later.
Keep accurate records and track your profits monthly. If your income unexpectedly increases, you may need to adjust your payments on account upwards. Many accountants recommend quarterly reviews to stay on top of this.
Not sure about your estimate? A professional accountant can help.
Get Help from an AccountantLet's walk through a real-world example so you can see how reducing payments on account works in practice.
Your Self Assessment tax bill was £8,000.
Your profits fall significantly. Your expected tax bill is now £4,000.
This reduction would improve your cash flow by £4,000 across the year — money that stays in your business rather than sitting with HMRC.
⚠️ Important
This example assumes your tax bill genuinely falls to £4,000. If your actual bill ends up higher, interest may be charged on the difference. Always base your estimate on realistic figures — not wishful thinking.
Reducing payments on account isn't right for everyone. Here are the most common scenarios where it may be appropriate, based on what our accountants see day to day.
Many sole traders experience fluctuating profits. Builders, electricians, taxi drivers, freelancers and consultants all face periods where income dips. If your profits have genuinely reduced — not just a temporary blip — your future tax bill may be lower and you could be entitled to reduce your payments on account.
Learn more: What is a Sole Trader?Landlords may experience void periods, property sales, reduced rental income or increased expenses — all of which can result in a lower tax liability. If your rental profits have fallen, our accountants can help determine whether reducing payments on account is appropriate.
Learn more: Accountants for LandlordsIf you have stopped trading or retired during the year, your future tax liability may be substantially lower. In these circumstances, reducing payments on account — or even removing them entirely — could be justified.
Company directors often experience fluctuations in salary, dividends, rental income and investment income. If your total taxable income has fallen, this may justify reducing payments on account. A limited company accountant can help you assess this accurately.
Learn more: Limited Company AccountantsSometimes — yes.
Payments on account may be reduced to zero if you have stopped trading, your taxable income has ended, most of your income is now taxed through PAYE, or your expected Self Assessment liability is negligible. Each case must be considered individually — there is no automatic right to removal.
This is where caution is required.
If you reduce payments on account and your actual tax bill turns out to be higher than expected, HMRC will still collect the tax due. Interest may be charged on the underpaid amount from the date the payment was originally due.
✅ The good news:
HMRC does not charge a penalty simply because you reduced payments on account. The risk is limited to interest charges on any underpaid amount — there are no automatic fines for getting your estimate wrong.
⚠️ The risk:
Interest can still be significant on large sums. This is why many taxpayers seek advice from an accountant before making changes — a small professional fee can prevent a costly mistake.
An experienced accountant can take the guesswork out of reducing payments on account. Rather than estimating your tax liability alone and hoping for the best, professional support gives you confidence that the figures are accurate.
🤔 Not sure if you need an accountant?
Read our guide: Do I Need an Accountant for Self Assessment?
Many people search this exact question after receiving a large January tax bill. The shock is real — and the reason is straightforward.
The reason your January bill feels so high is because HMRC is collecting two things at once:
The balancing payment
Any tax still owed for the previous tax year
First payment on account
50% of next year's estimated tax bill
📊 Quick Example
This catches many new self-employed individuals by surprise — especially in their second year of trading.
Our accountants regularly see the same mistakes repeated. Avoid these pitfalls to stay on the right side of HMRC.
Guessing future profits without evidence
Always base your estimate on actual bookkeeping records — not rough calculations on the back of an envelope.
Forgetting about dividend income
Many company directors forget to include dividends when estimating their tax liability. These count as taxable income too.
Ignoring rental income
Landlords sometimes focus only on their employment or self-employment income and overlook rental profits.
Underestimating tax liabilities
It's easy to underestimate your tax bill, especially if you're not familiar with current tax bands and rates. An accountant can calculate this accurately.
Failing to monitor profits throughout the year
Your situation can change. A slow start to the year could turn into a busy second half. Regular reviews are essential.
💡 Tip: Good bookkeeping prevents most of these mistakes
Explore: Affordable Accountancy Services
Good tax planning can dramatically reduce the stress associated with Self Assessment. Here's what we recommend:
Our accountants answer the most common questions about reducing payments on account.
If you're self-employed, a landlord, freelancer or company director and believe your tax bill will be lower this year, Taxwise Accountancy can help review your position and determine whether reducing payments on account is appropriate.
Our experienced accountants can help with Self Assessment tax returns, tax planning, cash flow forecasting, payments on account reviews and HMRC compliance.