From 11 October, the interest rates on late tax payments rise again in line with the Bank of England’s (BoE) latest base rate increase.

The BoE increased the base rate by 0.5 per cent to 2.25 per cent in September, as a result of inflation.

Due to this, the late payment and repayment interest rates applied to tax debts will rise to:

• Late payment interest rate — 4.75 per cent
• Repayment interest rate — 1.25 per cent

HMRC interest rates are set in legislation and linked directly to the base rate, so the latest rise has been automatically triggered by these changes.

The late payment rate last increased to 4.25 per cent on 23 August – the highest rate since January 2009.

This interest is due on late tax bills for:

• Income Tax
• National Insurance Contributions
• Capital Gains Tax
• Stamp Duty Land Tax

The file and pay rate for Corporation Tax increases to 4.75 per cent with effect from 11 October.

Meanwhile, the interest charged on underpaid quarterly instalment payments increase to 3.25 per cent and the interest paid on overpaid quarterly instalment payments and on early payments of Corporation Tax not due by instalments rose to two per cent from 3 October 2022.

You should be aware that any further increases in the BoE base rate could further drive-up these rates and increase the cost of tax debts.

Link: HMRC interest rates for late and early payments