Source: https://rivet.global/blog/pay-hmrc-from-abroad
Published: 2026-10-26 · Updated: 2026-10-26 · By William Sunjo M.

# How to pay HMRC from abroad or from a foreign bank account

How to pay Self Assessment, Corporation Tax or VAT to HMRC from outside the UK: where to find HMRC's overseas bank details, which reference to use, timing and fees.

## Key takeaways

- HMRC publishes separate overseas bank details, with an IBAN and BIC, for each tax; get them from the GOV.UK page for that tax.
- The payment reference identifies the tax and taxpayer; without the right one, HMRC may not allocate the payment.
- Pay in pounds sterling and choose the option where you pay all charges, so HMRC receives the full amount.
- International payments can take several working days; HMRC counts the date the money arrives.
- A GBP account lets you pay by Faster Payments, which usually arrives the same day.

Owners of UK companies who live elsewhere, and UK taxpayers who have moved abroad, often have to pay HMRC from a foreign bank account. It works, but a payment without the right reference or with fees deducted can arrive short or sit unallocated while penalties run.

## Where do you find HMRC's bank details for overseas payments?

On GOV.UK, on the payment page for the specific tax: Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, VAT, PAYE and so on. Each page has a section for paying from an overseas account, with an IBAN, a BIC and the account name. The details differ by tax, so do not reuse one tax's IBAN for another.

We deliberately do not reprint them here. Copy them from GOV.UK each time, because HMRC can change them and fraudsters circulate fake versions.

## Which reference should you use?

| Tax | Reference |
|---|---|
| Self Assessment | 10-digit UTR followed by K |
| Corporation Tax | 17-character payment reference for that accounting period |
| VAT | 9-digit VAT registration number |
| PAYE for employers | 13-character Accounts Office reference |

HMRC allocates payments by reference. A payment with the wrong one may be credited to the wrong period or held as unallocated, and HMRC can still charge late payment interest until it is sorted out.

## How should you send the payment?

1. Send pounds sterling, not your local currency. Convert first, so you know what HMRC receives.
2. Choose the charge option where you pay all fees (often called OUR). Otherwise intermediary banks can deduct fees and HMRC receives less than you owe.
3. Put the payment reference in the reference or "payment details" field, exactly as shown.
4. Use the account name HMRC publishes.

## How long does it take?

An international payment usually takes one to four working days to reach HMRC, sometimes longer through several intermediary banks. HMRC counts the date the money arrives, not the date you sent it. If the deadline is 31 January, send it in the second week of January.

Our guide to [SWIFT transfer fees and times](/blog/swift-transfer-fees-and-time) explains why international payments vary.

## Can you avoid an international payment?

Yes, if you hold pounds in an account with UK payment details. Paying HMRC from a GBP account with a sort code goes by Faster Payments, which normally arrives the same day, including weekends. HMRC's domestic bank details are on the same GOV.UK pages.

## Watch for HMRC scams

HMRC is one of the most impersonated organisations in the UK. Fake messages claim you are owed a refund or owe tax, and include bank details or links. HMRC does not ask for payment into personal accounts, by gift card or by cryptocurrency. If in doubt, sign in to your HMRC account directly rather than following a link. Our article on [invoice fraud and payment detail scams](/blog/invoice-fraud-payment-detail-scams) covers the patterns.

## Paying HMRC with Rivet

A registered company on Rivet's Growth plan holds GBP with UK account details next to USD and EUR. Income earned abroad can be converted to pounds inside [the account](/accounts), and the tax paid to HMRC by Faster Payments from the GBP balance, without an international wire.

## Questions

### What reference do I use to pay Corporation Tax from abroad?

Your 17-character Corporation Tax payment reference, which starts with your 10-digit Unique Taxpayer Reference. It is on the payment reminder HMRC sends and in the company's HMRC online account.

### What reference do I use for Self Assessment?

Your 10-digit Unique Taxpayer Reference followed by the letter K, with no spaces.

### Can I pay HMRC in US dollars or euros?

No. HMRC accounts are in sterling. If you send another currency, a bank along the way converts it and the amount HMRC receives may be short. Convert to GBP yourself before sending.

### How do I check HMRC bank details are genuine?

Only use the details on GOV.UK. Fraudsters send fake HMRC emails and texts with their own bank details. HMRC will not ask you to pay into a personal account or by gift card.