HMRC tax pressure: which finance fits
Yes, UK limited companies, LLPs and partnerships with four or more partners can borrow to clear an HMRC bill. The main routes are a VAT loan for a quarterly VAT bill, working capital for PAYE arrears, a Corporation Tax bridge, and weighing any of these against HMRC Time to Pay. If you send an enquiry, we pass your details to a business finance broker, who will contact you about your options.
These pages cover the specific finance products and specialist lenders for HMRC tax-pressure scenarios where mainstream lenders typically decline, and weigh borrowing against the alternatives such as HMRC Time to Pay.
Founder & Managing Director, Muswell Rose, FundBiz
Adam is the founder and managing director of Muswell Rose and a founder of Best Business Loans Ltd, the company behind FundBiz. His background runs through commercial finance, mortgages and fintech, including as managing director of an invoice finance business. He oversees FundBiz's guides and lender reviews.
Last updated:
VAT loan emergency
Quarter-end VAT bill due. Cash short. Specialist VAT-loan lenders fund against next-quarter cashflow.
PAYE arrears funding
PAYE / NIC arrears stacking. Working-capital lenders that engage with HMRC arrears, what they want to see, and where to start.
Corporation Tax bridge
Profitable trading, cashflow stretched at Corporation Tax due-date. Bridge options that compete with HMRC TTP interest.
CIS deduction finance
Construction subcontractors with CIS deductions held back. Specialist lenders advance against CIS due back via tax return.
Arrears funding options
VAT, PAYE and Corporation Tax set against Time to Pay, a short-term loan and asset refinance. Decision table, penalty rules and a route finder.
Time to Pay negotiation
How to negotiate an HMRC Time to Pay arrangement: what to prepare, how HMRC assesses a request, and what happens if a payment is missed.
Which HMRC pressure, which route
VAT bill
What it is: A quarterly VAT bill you can't cover in one thin cash month.
Finance route: A VAT loan sized to the bill, repaid across the next VAT quarter. The lender pays HMRC directly or sends you the funds.
PAYE and NIC arrears
What it is: PAYE and National Insurance arrears stacking up with HMRC.
Finance route: Working capital from lenders that engage with existing HMRC arrears, usually with a director personal guarantee.
Corporation Tax
What it is: Profitable trading but cash is stretched at the Corporation Tax due date.
Finance route: A short bridge that competes with HMRC Time to Pay interest and clears the bill on time.
HMRC Time to Pay (TTP)
What it is: HMRC’s own instalment plan for a tax bill you can't pay on the due date.
Finance route: Often the cheapest option because it charges HMRC’s official late-payment interest rate. Compare it against a loan before you borrow.
Start with a VAT bill?
A VAT loan is often the first route to look at for a quarterly VAT bill. See what it costs, how fast it funds, and how it compares to HMRC Time to Pay.
VAT loans: cost, rates and HMRC alternatives →Frequently asked questions
Can I get a business loan to pay an HMRC bill?
Yes. UK limited companies, LLPs and partnerships with four or more partners can borrow to settle VAT, PAYE or Corporation Tax, and some lenders pay HMRC directly. FundBiz does not run a credit check. If you send an enquiry, we pass your details to a business finance broker, who will contact you about your options.
Can I get a loan to pay a VAT bill?
Yes. A VAT loan is a short-term facility sized to your quarterly VAT bill. The lender settles HMRC or sends you the funds, and you repay over the next VAT quarter. See our VAT loan page for cost illustrations and eligibility.
Is there finance for PAYE arrears?
Yes. Some working-capital lenders will consider PAYE and NIC arrears, especially where the business is trading profitably. Terms are tighter and a director personal guarantee is usually required. Our PAYE arrears funding page explains what lenders want to see.
Is HMRC Time to Pay better than a loan?
Often, but not always. Time to Pay charges interest at HMRC’s official late-payment interest rate, which is usually lower than a loan’s monthly rate. A loan wins on speed, on keeping HMRC off your file, and where a Time to Pay request is declined. Compare both before you decide.
Can I get finance with existing HMRC arrears?
Sometimes. Specialist lenders will consider a file with existing HMRC arrears, particularly if trading is profitable and the arrears are being addressed. Expect tighter terms and a personal guarantee.
Decide whether to borrow first
Borrowing into HMRC pressure is a commercial decision. Weigh it against HMRC Time to Pay before you commit, and be sure borrowing is the right move for your situation.
If you decide to borrow, you can send an enquiry through FundBiz. We pass your details to a business finance broker, who pays us a fixed fee for each enquiry. You pay nothing. FundBiz is not a lender and does not run credit checks.