This guide gives you the payment deadlines for Petroleum Revenue Tax (PRT) and tells you about your payment options.
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You are responsible for calculating how much PRT is owed and for paying this on time.
PRT returns are made twice a year for six-month chargeable periods. These are from the beginning of January until the end of June and then from the beginning of July until the end of December.
For each chargeable period six instalments of PRT at monthly intervals are required, beginning two months into the chargeable period. So the first instalment for each period is due on:
Each instalment is based on the tax paid for the previous chargeable period that's reported on PRT return (form PRT6).
One month after the last instalment for each period, you will submit a return for that chargeable period. For example the last payment for the 30 June period will be at the end of July with the return submitted at the end of August.
You must pay any outstanding tax owed to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) with the return. If you have overpaid then HMRC will pay back any money owing to you.
Three months after you have submitted your return, HMRC will send you an assessment and payment notice. This is based on your return and will tell you whether you need to make any further payments (or whether HMRC needs to pay you back any money).
Remember, if your cleared payment arrives late interest will be charged.
Read more about Petroleum Revenue Tax returns and payments
When you make your payment to HMRC it is important that you use the right reference. This makes sure your payment reaches your account and that you won't get reminders after you've paid.
You can find your reference number on the payslip that's attached to the assessment and payment notice that HMRC sends you.
Make sure you enter your reference number with no spaces between the characters or it could lead to delays in updating your account.
You can use your bank or building society services to pay by:
To pay your Petroleum Revenue Tax using any of the above payment methods you'll need to set up the payment details with your bank. You'll need to supply them with:
Find out HMRC's bank account details
This is a service that has been introduced by the banking industry for sending online or telephone banking payments on the same day or next, providing the value of the payment does not exceed the value limit set by the sending bank.
More about the Faster Payments Service
Information about Faster Payment limits (Opens new window)
If your cleared payment arrives late you will have to pay interest.
HMRC recommends that you make your PRT payments electronically using one of the methods covered in this guide.
If you use the right reference number electronic payments are more efficient and secure than sending cheques by post.
If you do need to pay by post:
If you do not have a HMRC pre-addressed envelope please send your payment to:
HM Revenue & Customs
Bradford
BD98 1YY
Please allow at least three working days for the payment to reach HMRC. This allows for any delays in the post outside of HMRC's control.
If you have made your payment electronically using one of the methods covered in this guide you can confirm from your own bank or building society statement that payment has cleared your account.
If you send your payment by post you will need to send a letter with your payment if you want a receipt. Please don't write on your HMRC payslips as they are processed automatically.
HMRC recommends you pay your PRT electronically using one of the methods covered in this guide.
If you are paying by post and you don't have a payslip you should send these details with your payment:
You should use the contact details described in the Paying by post section of this guide.
Find out what to do if you have problems paying HMRC
