New law coming into effect in January bans the passing on of credit card surcharges to consumers.
The second EU Payment Services Directive (PSD2 – EU Directive 2015/2366) comes into effect on 13 January 2018. It introduces a range of measures designed to increase consumer protection, security and better regulate payment processing.
HMRC will no longer accept Personal Credit Cards for Self-Assessment Payments.
HMRC is only allowed to accept credit card payments on the basis that there is no cost to the public purse. They will therefore stop taking personal credit cards for payment when they can no longer pass on the fee (from 13 January 2018).
Corporate, business and commercial credit cards are not affected by this change and HMRC will continue to accept personal and commercial debit cards.
Alternative payment options include:
- Direct Debit
- Faster Payment
- BACs
- Debit card
- CHAPs
More information about how to Pay your Self Assessment tax bill is available online.