Stabilise essentials, handle letters and deadlines with confidence, and agree a realistic Time to Pay plan with HMRC. We’ll help you build an affordable route that survives quieter months.
✅ Start Free CheckIf you’re worried about HMRC and tax debt—whether that’s VAT, PAYE or Self Assessment arrears—you’re in the right place. This plain-English guide explains how to stabilise your household, talk to HMRC with confidence, and put a realistic plan in place that you can stick to. We’ll cover Time to Pay, how to handle letters and deadlines, and how to stop pressure from other creditors so you can focus on clearing tax & HMRC debt the right way.
Alongside HMRC arrears, many people juggle credit cards, loans, overdrafts, catalogues and BNPL. We can roll those into one affordable payment or a formal route (where suitable), freeing space in your budget to keep on top of HMRC.
Search intent add-ons: can’t pay VAT this month; missed Self Assessment deadline; PAYE arrears building; looking for the HMRC Time to Pay phone number; wondering how long HMRC will let you repay; worried about distraint or bank deductions. You’ll find clear answers below and quick links to tools.
Start My PlanMissing returns and payments can trigger penalties and interest. The key is to engage early, file outstanding returns and show a credible, affordable plan based on your actual cashflow—not guesswork.
List which taxes are overdue, which returns are missing, and note any deadlines. We’ll help you gather this quickly during your fact-find so your proposal to HMRC is complete and credible.
If you’re confused by payments on account, we’ll explain what they are, when they’re due (January/July), and how they affect your plan. Run your numbers so nothing surprises you later.
List My DebtsProtecting essentials makes everything easier. We prioritise your housing, energy and key bills before finalising offers to HMRC.
Covering essentials prevents spirals and lets you offer HMRC a plan that you can genuinely afford. We then structure the rest—credit cards, catalogues, overdrafts—into one fair monthly payment or a formal route if appropriate.
Get a quick sense of what’s realistic with the Debt Calculator. We’ll refine it into HMRC-ready figures.
Protect EssentialsTime to Pay is a structured repayment plan based on affordability. The stronger your budget, the better your chances of agreement. We help you prepare, present and manage it.
HMRC often expects overdue returns to be filed before agreeing terms. We’ll help you prioritise filings so your proposal can progress.
A plan that survives quiet months beats a big promise that breaks next quarter. We’ll defend an amount you can keep paying.
Estimate a sensible monthly offer using your approximate disposable income and total HMRC arrears.
If letters mention enforcement, act now. Calm, factual responses backed by a budget usually work best. We’ll help you choose the right words and timelines.
We’ll map deadlines, provide written proposals, and keep you on track with filings and payments. If other creditors are calling, use Stop Debt Collectors and What is debt collection? to channel contact through a single plan.
Save copies of every letter and email, and note call dates. It speeds up agreements and avoids confusion later.
Reply To HMRCYour business structure affects liability, paperwork and the best long-term route. We’ll tailor the plan to you.
You’re personally liable for HMRC debts. We prioritise the household first, then build a plan that covers tax and personal credit sensibly—often via a DMP or (where suitable) an IVA or DRO.
Company debts may be separate, but items like personal guarantees or director’s loans can affect you. We’ll ringfence the household, address personal debts appropriately, and coordinate with your accountant on company steps if needed. Also see Business Debt.
No problem. We use averages, seasonality and review points so the plan survives quieter months.
Tailor My PlanMost people with HMRC arrears also face consumer debts. Consolidating those into one manageable payment helps protect your tax plan.
Debt Management Plan (DMP) — informal, flexible; many creditors pause or reduce interest/charges.
IVA — formal, legally binding; strong protections; remaining eligible unsecured debt may be written off on completion.
DRO — for low income/low assets; strict eligibility, but powerful where it fits.
See Compare Solutions for differences, then ask for a personalised recommendation.
See If I QualifyWhere appropriate, Breathing Space can pause most enforcement on qualifying debts while we prepare your long-term route. It’s a window to get organised—not the destination.
We keep momentum with HMRC even during a pause, so the plan moves forward the moment you’re ready.
Ask About PauseSkim this page, then read Compare Solutions and Breathing Space.
Share a few details so we can reach you and map your picture quickly.
Friendly, specialist support—no scripts or judgement.
We list balances, check deadlines, and prioritise any outstanding returns so your proposal can proceed.
Agree a sustainable monthly figure you can keep paying—even in quieter months. Start with the Debt Calculator.
We refine the route (DMP, IVA, DRO where eligible) and coordinate communications.
Use our reference number with creditors. Where suitable, we’ll help you use Breathing Space while setup completes.
Begin NowIf debts beyond HMRC are escalating, read What is debt collection? and Stop Debt Collectors. For typical behaviour and tailored tips, see pages on Lowell, Cabot, Moorcroft, Advantis, Link Financial, Capquest, Wescot, Resolvecall, Hoist, Robinson Way, Fredrickson, Moriarty Law, Drydensfairfax, and PRA Group.
We route all contact through your agreed plan. That reduces pressure and prevents unsustainable promises.
Save letters and emails; keep call notes. It makes resolving disputes faster and easier.
Calm The CallsCollect HMRC letters, reference numbers, and your last 2–3 months of bank activity. Identify missing returns and start filing urgently.
Use the Debt Calculator. We’ll convert it into HMRC-ready figures with headroom.
We’ll submit a realistic monthly amount and set review points. In parallel, we’ll calm other debts via DMP/IVA/DRO where suitable.
Small, reliable payments and timely filings build trust and prevent escalation.
Plan My WeekNo. Bring what you have—we’ll help you pull the rest together and prioritise filings so your proposal can move forward.
It depends on affordability, compliance and the quality of your proposal. We focus on a sustainable budget, evidence and realistic review points.
Policies vary. What consistently helps is engaging early, filing on time from now on, and sticking to an affordable plan.
DMP and IVA affect consumer creditors more directly. They can free space in your budget so you can maintain HMRC Time to Pay. We’ll structure things so the two work together.
We use averages, seasonality and headroom. Your plan should survive quiet months, not just busy ones.
Debt solutions can impact credit. For many, the priority is stabilising the household and stopping escalation. We’ll explain trade-offs clearly.
We stabilise priority bills first: see Council Tax Debt and Mortgage Arrears. Then we fit HMRC within a plan you can keep.
Ask us directly and get a personalised answer fast.
Ask A SpecialistUnderstanding typical creditor behaviour helps you stand firm. See our pages for Barclays, HSBC, NatWest, Lloyds and Capital One. We’ll make fair, defensible offers that protect your HMRC plan.
Consistency builds trust. We’ll ensure every offer matches your numbers so nothing unravels later.
By channelling everything through a single plan, you reduce noise and regain control quickly.
Get Lender HelpFewer letters and calls, protected essentials, and a plan you can keep—that’s the goal.
Start NowWhen you’re ready, we’re ready—on your terms and timeline.
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