Tax help if you are in financial trouble, on benefits, or struggling with the cost of living

Owing tax can be stressful

If you owe tax, this is due by 31 January and 31 July.

If you've not set money aside, the 31 January payment can be a shock - especially at the beginning. That's because you need to pay the tax for your first year of trading plus half that tax amount for the following year (it's called a payment on account). 

The second payment on account is due on 31 July (and any final tax adjustment for the year - whether tax due or a credit - is taken account on the next payment by the following 31 January).

It can all be stressful.

Help is out there

See What other help is out there to help me pay my tax? (untied article)

The excellent Low Income Tax Reform Group (LITRG - an initiative of the Chartered Institute of Taxation) has written some articles on the relationship between benefits and owing tax.

We also have articles on:

• Claiming benefits if you're behind on your taxes (you may also want to see untied and Universal Credit)
• Making extra money

Get help if you're stuck from excellent tax charities

You can also get help from TaxAid and Tax Help for Older People which are two charities that help people when they can't sort tax things in other ways.

Depending on where you live you can also contact your local Citizens Advice.