How/when to pay tax bill?

[AntoinetteCosway]

I have done my tax return for 2013-2014 and owe a small amount of tax. On the 'my account' tab it says that I currently owe nothing but this amount will be due shortly and must be paid by 31st Jan 2015. Does anyone know why it says I don't owe anything at the mo? Does it just mean HMRC are checking my return figures or something? How long does that normally take? I'm going to go on mat leave in a few weeks and would really like to just pay them now and get it out of the way.

Sorry, by 'this amount' I mean the £60 odd that the system tells me WILL be due, not the £0 it says I owe at the moment.

It says that because it is not due for payment until Jan 2015 - so AT THE MOMENT you don't owe anything.

As I remember it will say that until 28 days before the due date of 31 Jan 2015.

Ah ok, so I can pay it now-thank you!

Why would you give HMRC money now when you could wait till January with no penalties?

Because

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Argh! Because I don't want to forget about it while I'm on mat leave and I'd rather just pay what I owe and not be in debt.

HMRC should send a statement later in the year (ie around the beginning of Jan) and that will be a reminder to pay. But you're probably right that if it's only 60 it's worth paying now just to avoid hassle later.