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HMRC appeals, tax payment plans and council tax in England
HM Revenue and Customs deals with tax for the whole of the UK, and much of it is free online: a Self Assessment penalty can be appealed through HMRC's online service or form SA370, and HMRC's online payment plan takes Self Assessment debts of £30,000 or less within 60 days of the due date (HMRC's own limits on 28 October 2026). The appeal to HMRC is for income tax, Capital Gains Tax and Corporation Tax penalties and decisions those routes do not fit, or for anyone who prefers a letter: it gives the reasonable excuse or the grounds within 30 days of the date of the notice. After HMRC replies, you can ask for a review by an HMRC officer not involved in the decision or appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Tax Chamber); a VAT decision follows the route its own letter gives.
When a bill cannot be paid in full, the letter asking HMRC to pay in instalments sets out what is owed, why it cannot all be paid now, the monthly amount offered and the income and outgoings behind it. Free debt advice is available from MoneyHelper, StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice, and TaxAid helps people on low incomes with their tax.
Council tax in England and Wales has two separate routes. The band is set by the Valuation Office and challenged free through its service on GOV.UK; the statement of evidence lists similar homes and their bands to go with the challenge. Discounts, exemptions and who has to pay are for the council: the request for a discount or exemption asks for the 25% single person discount or a student exemption where the council's online form does not fit, and the appeal to the council is the written notice under section 16 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 that comes before the free valuation tribunal. Keep paying while either is decided.
The documents
5 forms available to fill in or download.
Council tax appeal to the council about liability or the amount charged (England and Wales)
England and Wales · in English
For a person in England or Wales who disputes a council tax decision — that they are liable for a property, the amount charged, a refused discount or exemption, or that the property is chargeable at all: the written notice to the council that section 16 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 requires before any appeal to the Valuation Tribunal for England or for Wales. The council has two months to answer. Keep paying meanwhile. Sent first class.
Request to the council for a council tax discount or exemption (England and Wales)
England and Wales · in English
For a council taxpayer in England or Wales: a letter to the council asking for the single person discount (25% off when you are the only adult at home), a discount because the other adults are disregarded, such as full-time students, or an exemption, from a date you give, with any backdating and refund. Most councils have a free online form that does the same; this letter suits those who prefer writing or have a case the form does not fit. Sent first class.
Appeal to HMRC against a penalty or a tax decision (UK)
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales · in English
For a taxpayer anywhere in the UK with a penalty or decision from HM Revenue and Customs on income tax, Capital Gains Tax or Corporation Tax that they think is wrong — a late filing or late payment penalty with a reasonable excuse, a Making Tax Digital penalty, another decision: a written appeal to HMRC within 30 days of the date of the notice, giving your grounds and asking for a review or the tribunal route. For Self Assessment penalties, HMRC's online service and form SA370 are free and do the same. For VAT, the decision letter gives a different route. Sent first class.
Council tax band challenge: statement of evidence (England and Wales)
England and Wales · in English
For a council taxpayer in England or Wales who thinks their home is in the wrong band: a signed statement of your evidence — why the band is wrong, and the addresses and bands of similar homes nearby — to upload or send with your challenge through the Valuation Office's free service on GOV.UK. A formal challenge is open if you became the taxpayer, or the Valuation Office changed the band, in the last six months, or if a change has affected the home; otherwise you can ask for a review. The band can go up as well as down. Keep paying your bill meanwhile.
Letter asking HMRC to let you pay a tax bill in instalments (UK)
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales · in English
For a taxpayer in the UK who cannot pay a tax bill in full on time: a letter to HM Revenue and Customs asking for a Time to Pay arrangement, saying what is owed, why you cannot pay it all now, the monthly amount you propose and your income and outgoings. HMRC's free online service takes a Self Assessment debt of £30,000 or less within 60 days of the due date (HMRC's own limits on 28 October 2026, not law); otherwise HMRC deals with it by phone, and this letter sets out your proposal in writing. Sent first class.
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