Cashpoint

The deadline for submitting self assessment tax returns online is January 31.

But those hoping to pay their tax bill on a personal credit card need to get their skates on.

HM Revenue and Customs will no longer accept personal credit card payments after this Friday.

That is because rules preventing organisations – such as HMRC – from passing on fees for credit card payments to the customer come into force on Saturday.

As a public funded body, HMRC is unable to absorb these fees – as that would mean charging them back through the public purse.

Last year 454,000 personal credit card tax payments, worth £741million, were made.

If you plan to pay your tax bill on a credit card, and won’t be filing your tax return until after Friday, you’ll need to make a payment on account in the next day or so. You can still pay by debit card after that date.

Karen Clark, private client tax partner at audit, tax and consulting firm RSM, said: “This decision will affect thousands of taxpayers, many of whom will be taken by surprise. If people realise too late and have no other means to pay, they could end up with a hefty penalty.”