How to make pension scheme payments
This guide explains the electronic options for making pension scheme payments to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) if you’re a pension scheme administrator.
Paying electronically:
- is safe and secure
- gives you better control over your money
- provides certainty about when your payment will reach HMRC
- lets you pay at a time convenient to you if you use Internet or telephone banking
On this page:
- Update: changes to HMRC bank accounts from 6 April 2009
- Pension scheme payments deadlines
- Paying by Internet, telephone banking or BACS Direct Credit
- Paying by debit or credit card over the Internet: BillPay
- Paying by CHAPS transfer
- Paying using Paymaster
- Paying by Bank Giro
- Paying at the Post Office
- Paying by post
- Paying from an overseas bank account
- Correspondence or receipt requests
- Information about the Faster Payment service
- More useful links
Update: changes to HMRC bank accounts from 6 April 2009
HMRC bank account details changed from 6 April 2009. If you make payments by Internet, telephone banking or BACS Direct Credit, by CHAPS or from an overseas bank account the new account details are included below. Please note these for future reference.
HMRC is now using two banks - Citi for Internet, telephone banking or BACS Direct Credit and CHAPS payments and Royal Bank of Scotland Group for Bank Giro credits.
If you experience problems using the new account details
HMRC is aware that some customers are experiencing problems making payments from their banks to the new HMRC bank accounts. They are working to resolve this with the banks involved as quickly as possible. If this affects you, you can continue to use the old HMRC account details to make your payments. HMRC apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
Pension scheme payments deadlines
When your pension scheme’s Accounting for Tax Return has been successfully filed online with HMRC you will receive an online receipt and be provided with a payment reference number on screen. When making payment it is essential that you use the reference number provided to ensure that your payment can be allocated promptly to your record.
You should ensure that HMRC’s Pension Scheme Services receives your Accounting for Tax Return in sufficient time to issue you with your reference before your payment is due. HMRC recommends that you pay electronically.
Making pension scheme payments by Internet, telephone banking or BACS Direct Credit
You can use your bank or building society services to pay by Internet or telephone banking or by BACS Direct Credit (available to businesses which are authorised by their bank to submit files direct to BACS).
To make a payment you will need the account details given below and your pension scheme reference.
It normally takes three bank working days for payment to reach HMRC. Bank working days are Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays. Some banks and building societies can take longer. You should check with your bank or building society to see how long they take to transfer payment and what their cut-off time is for initiating payment. If they take longer then you will need to initiate your payment earlier.
If your cleared payment arrives late interest will be charged.
Providing HMRC bank account details
To make pension scheme payments by Internet, telephone banking or BACS Direct Credit you will need HMRC’s bank account details. If your payment is made with the wrong sort code or account number there may be a delay before your account is credited or your payment may not be received at all.
| Accounts Office | Sort code | Account number | Account name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shipley | 08 32 10 | 12001020 | HMRC Shipley |
Bank account changes from 6 April 2009
The account details above were updated on 6 April 2009. Please note these for future reference. You should also arrange to update any templates or transactions that you have stored for online banking purposes.
If you experience problems using the new account details
HMRC is aware that some customers are experiencing problems making payments from their banks to the new HMRC bank accounts. They are working to resolve this with the banks involved as quickly as possible. If this affects you, you can continue to use the old HMRC account details to make your payments. HMRC apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
Your pension scheme payments reference number
When making your payment you will need your reference number. This is shown on screen when you file the Accounting for Tax Return for the payment you are making. The reference is in the format XAR12345678912. It is important that you show the reference with no gaps between the characters, otherwise it could lead to delays in updating your account.
Making pension scheme payments by debit or credit card over the Internet: BillPay
If you have a debit or credit card issued by a UK bank, you can make pension scheme payments over the Internet using the BillPay service provided by Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank.
If you wish to pay by credit card a non-refundable transaction fee of 1.25 per cent will be added to the charge. Any charge of less than £00.01p will be rounded up to a penny.
HMRC does not accept American Express or Diners Club cards.
Information you will need
To make a payment you will need your:
- Debit or credit card details.
- Pension scheme reference number. This is shown on screen when you file the Accounting for Tax Return for the payment you are making. The reference is in the format XAR12345678912.
Disclaimer
The BillPay service is an Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank product. HMRC will liaise with the supplier in the unlikely event that there are difficulties with access or service availability.
Further information on making a debit card payment (opens new window)
Use the BillPay service (opens new window)
Making pension scheme payments by CHAPS transfer
The CHAPS system enables you to tell your bank to make an immediate payment that will reach HMRC on the same day provided you initiate payment within the time specified by your bank (usually between 9.00 am and 3.00 pm).
CHAPS payments are more expensive than other payment methods but may be of benefit if you’re making very large payments.
Providing HMRC bank account details
You’ll need to provide your bank or building society with HMRC’s bank account details. If your payment is made with the wrong sort code or account number there may be a delay before your account is credited or your payment may not be received at all.
| Accounts Office | Sort code | Account number | Account name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shipley | 08 32 10 | 12001020 | HMRC Shipley |
Bank account changes from 6 April 2009
The account details above were updated on 6 April 2009. Please note these for future reference. You should also arrange to update any templates or transactions that you have stored for online banking purposes.
If you experience problems using the new account details
HMRC is aware that some customers are experiencing problems making payments from their banks to the new HMRC bank accounts. They are working to resolve this with the banks involved as quickly as possible. If this affects you, you can continue to use the old HMRC account details to make your payments. HMRC apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
Your pension scheme payments reference number
When making your payment you will need your reference number. This is shown on screen when you file your Accounting for Tax Return for the payment you are making. The reference is in the format XAR12345678912. It is important that you show the reference with no gaps between the characters – otherwise it could lead to delays in updating your account.
Making pension scheme payments using Paymaster
Employers such as government departments and health authorities who have an account with the Office of the Paymaster General can make pension scheme payments using Paymaster. The Office of the Paymaster General transfers the payments direct to HMRC’s bank account. Provided you initiate payment within the time specified by the Office of the Paymaster General (usually between 9.00 am and 3.00 pm) they will receive payment on the same day.
Information you will need
When making your payment you will need your payment reference number. This is shown on screen when you file your Accounting for Tax Return for the payment you are making. The reference is in the format XAR12345678912. It is important that you show the reference with no gaps between the characters, otherwise it could lead to delays in updating your account.
Making pension scheme payments by Bank Giro
If your bank or building society offers the Bank Giro service you can make a pension scheme payment at your own bank branch by cheque or cash. HMRC treats any payment made by Bank Giro as electronic.
If paying this way:
- take your pension scheme payslip to your own bank branch (other banks may refuse to accept it or may charge you for this service)
- make cheques payable to ‘HM Revenue & Customs only’ followed by your pension scheme payslip reference number
HMRC is in the process of changing its bank account details and will be amending payslips to reflect these. However, arrangements are in place to continue to receive payments made using the old bank account details and payslips for the time being.
To allow for possible delays in bank processing (for which HMRC is not responsible) please allow at least three bank working days for your payment to reach them. Bank working days are Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays.
Making pension scheme payments at the Post Office
You can make a pension scheme payment at the Post Office by cheque, cash or debit card without charge. HMRC treats any payment made at the Post Office as electronic.
If paying this way:
- take your pension scheme payslip with you (otherwise you’ll be charged for using this service)
- make cheques payable to ‘Post Office Ltd’
HMRC is in the process of changing its bank account details and will be amending payslips to reflect these. However, arrangements are in place to continue to receive payments made using the old bank account details and payslips for the time being.
To allow for possible delays in bank processing (for which HMRC is not responsible) please allow at least three bank working days for your payment to reach them. Bank working days are Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays.
Making pension scheme payments by post
HMRC recommends that you make your payments electronically using one of the methods described elsewhere in this guide. Electronic payments are generally more efficient and secure, provided you give HMRC an accurate reference number.
However is paying by post:
- make your cheque payable to ‘HM Revenue & Customs only’ and write your pension scheme payslip reference after ‘HM Revenue & Customs only’
- detach the payslip and send it with your cheque to HMRC’s Accounts Office using the pre-addressed envelope they sent you or the address below
- do not fold the payslip or cheque and do not fasten them with paper clips or staples or in any other manner
To allow for possible postal delays (for which HMRC is not responsible) please allow three working days for your payment to reach them.
If you are sending a payment to HMRC and do not have an HMRC pre-addressed envelope please send your payment to:
HM Revenue & Customs
Accounts Office Shipley
Bradford
BD98 1YY
Postdated cheques
HMRC will only accept a postdated cheque in the following circumstances:
- before your payment is due where the cheque is for the full amount and received by the due date and it’s dated on or before the due date
- after your payment is due where you have a prior arrangement with your local HMRC office to settle your liability with postdated cheques
Please note that because of the highly automated system used for processing postal payments HMRC can only identify a postdated cheque if there is a letter with it.
If you do not send a covering letter HMRC will not recognise that the cheque is postdated and will present it straight away.
Making pension scheme payments from an overseas bank account
You can pay your Pension Schemes electronically from a bank account outside of the UK.
Providing HMRC bank account details
You will need to give your bank or building society HMRC’s bank account details. You should check with your bank or building society to see how long it takes to transfer a payment.
Payments to HMRC Accounts Office from abroad
The account details below were updated on 6 April 2009. Please note these for future reference. You should also arrange to update any templates or transactions that you have stored for online banking purposes. HMRC has arrangements in place to continue to receive any payments using the old bank account details for the time being.
The account name you should use is ‘HMRC Shipley’.
| Currency | International Bank Account Number (IBAN) | SWIFT Bank Identifier Code (BIC) |
|---|---|---|
| Sterling and foreign currencies (except euro) | GB05CITI08321012001020 | CITIGB2L |
| Euro | GB78CITI18500812000814 | CITIGB2L |
Note: Where an IBAN is shown you must give this number as well as the SWIFT BIC.
If your payment is made with the wrong bank account details there may be a delay before your account is credited or your payment may not be received at all.
Your pension scheme payments reference number
When making your payment you will need your reference number. This is shown on screen when you file the Accounting for Tax Return for the payment you are making. The reference is in the format XAR12345678912. It is important that you show the reference with no gaps between the characters otherwise it could lead to delays in updating your account.
Pension scheme payments correspondence or receipt requests
In order to minimise costs to all taxpayers HMRC does not automatically issue receipts for payments. If you have made your payment electronically using one of the methods described elsewhere in this guide you can confirm from your own bank or building society statement that payment has cleared your account.
However, if you are paying HMRC by post and you need to ask for a receipt, include a separate letter with your payment. HMRC cannot identify any instructions written on payslips as they are processed automatically.
If you wish to tell HMRC about a change (for example a new address) you will need to include a separate letter with your payment if paying by post or write to them separately if you have made your payment electronically.
Postal address for correspondence
HM Revenue & Customs
Victoria Street
Shipley
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD98 1YY
Information about the Faster Payment service
HMRC is currently unable to receive or make payments using the Faster Payment service, which is offered by some banks.
For a bank’s customer to make a Faster Payment, both banks involved in the transaction need to be members of the Faster Payment scheme. The Bank of England, which is currently HMRC’s banking supplier, made a decision some time ago to withdraw from the provision of retail banking services to its customers (one of which is HMRC) and has not joined the Faster Payments Scheme.
HMRC is in the process of moving its business to a new banking supplier. Following this migration the opportunity for using the Faster Payments service will be reviewed.
More useful links
Find out what you can do if you have a problem making a payment
