Self-assessment finance
Self-Assessment Tax Loans — Pay your bill with no fuss
A self-assessment deadline can land at the worst possible moment for a director, partner, or sole trader whose income is tied up in the business. Borrow £50,000–£500,000 to pay HMRC in full, then repay it in fixed monthly instalments that suit you.
- Won't affect your credit score
- Decision in 24 hours
- 6-60 month repayment term
WHAT'S INCLUDED
£50,000 – £500,000
Borrow The Amount You Need
Know Your Repayment Terms
Pay your monthly payments - no hidden fees
Repay early, fee-free
No penalties, ever
Funds available instantly
Usually within 48 hours
Won’t affect your credit score
WHAT IS A SELF-ASSESSMENT LOAN?
What is a loan to pay self-assessment tax?
A self-assessment loan is unsecured funding used to pay a self-assessment tax bill — including any payments on account — in full and on time, which you then repay in fixed monthly instalments. It’s separate from any arrangement made directly with HMRC — the funds land in your account, you pay your bill yourself, and you avoid the interest and penalties that come with paying late.
- A balancing payment — Settle the final tax owed for the year just ended, due by 31 January.
- A payment on account — Cover HMRC's advance estimate towards the current tax year, due 31 January or 31 July.
- A larger-than-expected bill — Fund a liability driven by a strong trading year, where profit has already been reinvested.
- Multiple deadlines at once — Spread the cost when a balancing payment and a payment on account fall due together.
£500k
Will applying affect my credit score?
No. We run a soft credit check to assess eligibility, which leaves no mark on your credit file.
Can I repay the loan early if a payment on account is later reduced?
Yes, at any time with zero penalties. You only pay interest for the period you held the loan.
The process
How do I apply for an unsecured business loan?
Simple, fast, and designed to cause as little disruption to your day as possible.
Apply in minutes
Tell us your self-assessment bill amount and when it's due
Soft credit check
We check your eligibility without leaving a mark on your credit file.
We say yes
A real person reviews your application and comes back to you within 24 hours.
Money in your account
Sign your agreement and the funds are on their way — often the same day, in time to beat your deadline
Eligibility
Am I eligible for a self-assessment loan?
Based in the UK
Your business must be registered and actively trading in the United Kingdom.
Trading 12+ months
We need to see at least 12 months of trading history to assess your business’s affordability.
£50,000+ annual turnover
Your business must generate a minimum of £50,000 per year in revenue to service the loan comfortably.
Sole trader, partner, or director
Personally liable for the self-assessment bill in question
Not currently insolvent
No administration, liquidation, or unpaid CCJs
We welcome applications from sole traders, partnerships, LLPs, and limited company directors — including those with an existing HMRC Time to Pay arrangement or an imperfect credit history.
Costs
How much will a self-assessment loan cost me?
You only pay interest on what you draw — not the full facility limit. Interest is calculated daily on the outstanding balance. Here are some illustrative examples based on a representative rate of 0.9% per month:
| AMOUNT DRAWN | DURATION HELD | APPROX. INTEREST COST | TOTAL REPAYABLE |
|---|---|---|---|
| £25,000 | 30 days | £225 | £25,225 |
| £50,000 | 60 days | £900 | £50,900 |
| £100,000 | 90 days | £2,700 | £102,700 |
| £200,000 | 6 months | £10,800 | £210,800 |
| £500,000 | 12 months | £54,000 | £554,000 |
18.9%
Is this cheaper than HMRC’s late payment interest?
Often, yes. HMRC charges interest on unpaid self-assessment tax from the day after your deadline, plus penalties that escalate the longer a bill stays unpaid. A fixed-rate loan lets you settle the bill immediately and budget for one predictable monthly cost instead.
What are the advantages of a self-assessment loan?
- Advantages
- Pay HMRC in full and on time, avoiding interest and penalties
- Preserve cash tied up in the business rather than drawn out personally
- Fixed monthly repayments — easy to budget around
- Decision in 24 hours, often ahead of your deadline
- Repay early with zero penalties
- Not secured against personal or business assets
- Disadvantages
- Total cost is higher than paying HMRC directly and on time
- Rate depends on trading history and affordability
- Requires 12+ months trading history
- Adds a fixed monthly commitment on top of existing outgoings — worth reviewing your payments on account with an accountant if this recurs every January and July
Features
What do you get with an Acceptance self-assessment loan?
Borrow £50k – £500k
Match the loan to your tax bill exactly
6 to 60 month terms
Pick a term that matches your income, not HMRC’s deadlines
Fixed monthly repayments
Know exactly what you owe each month.
No security required
Your assets stay yours, free and clear
Repay early, fee-free
Clear the loan ahead of schedule at no cost
Human decisions
A real person reviews every application — not just an algorithm
Put it to work
What else can you do with self-assessment finance?
A loan to cover self-assessment doesn’t have to stop there. Here’s what our customers also use this funding for.
- Settle a balancing payment or payment on account in full
- Cover VAT or corporation tax alongside self-assessment
- Keep drawings in the business rather than withdrawing cash for tax
- Hire staff or cover payroll during a lean period
- Buy stock or equipment ahead of a busy period
- Consolidate other short-term borrowing
Common questions about self-assessment loans
Still have a question?
Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm. Happy to talk through your options before you apply.
Speak to our team
Can I get a loan specifically to pay my self-assessment bill?
Yes. This unsecured loan is designed to settle a self-assessment balancing payment, a payment on account, or both, in full.
Is a self-assessment loan the same as HMRC Time to Pay?
No. Time to Pay is an arrangement negotiated directly with HMRC. A self-assessment loan is independent finance from Acceptance — you use it to pay HMRC in full immediately, then repay us on fixed monthly terms.
What is a payment on account, and why do I owe more than last year's tax?
It's an advance payment towards your current tax year, set at half of your previous year's bill and due alongside your balancing payment. If last year was strong, this can make your January bill significantly larger than the tax on the year just gone alone.
Can I apply for a self-assessment loan as a sole trader?
Yes. Sole traders, partners, and limited company directors can all apply, provided you meet our eligibility criteria.
Will applying affect my credit score?
Can I repay the loan early if a payment on account is later reduced?
Yes, at any time with zero penalties. You only pay interest for the period you held the loan.
Explore more
Other ways Acceptance can fund your business
Loans to pay corporation tax
Cover a corporation tax bill in full with the same unsecured funding.
VAT loans
Settle a VAT bill in full with fixed monthly repayments.
Loans for tax bills
Cover self-assessment, VAT, corporation tax, or PAYE/NI.