Can I pay a chunk of money to HMRC before I’ve done my tax return?

[64sNewName]

Self-assessment, sole trader. I have no time to do my tax return before Christmas, but the money I expect I will need to pay in January (my first payment on account for next year) is currently sitting in my current account and making me nervous. I’m concerned I will recklessly spend some of it over Christmas - I don’t trust myself with it, basically. I have form for impulse spending.

If I just pay it to HMRC early, and then submit my actual return on time in January, it’ll be fine, right? It won’t somehow fall through a crack in the system?

I feel a bit stupid even typing this, but am in a pre-holiday deadline stress frenzy

Of course you can.
Worst that can happen is they automatically pay it back to you, but I doubt it in the timeframe.
For what it's worth, I keep my tax money in a separate account, or in premium bonds (harder to get at, and a tiny thrill that I might win a million quid...). Works for me!

Thank you!!

You can do, but come on this is basic adulting to keep money back. Put it in a different account and ignore it.

Diet no need for that.

Someone is acknowledging their weakness (lucky you for not having any) and being sensible by trying to sort it. I'd say that is adulting !!

I wouldn't pay it to HMRC early. I'd open a separate savings account with my existing bank and just move it across to that.

Then I'd be super efficient next year and transfer 25% of every payment into that savings account as the year went on, so I had the money for my tax (and possibly a little bonus to spend in the Jan sales) next time.

Thanks all. It is already in a second account (although not a savings account).

I’m not sure thinking about paying my taxes a month early, in honest recognition of my own issues around money, makes me a failure as an adult. Meh to being scolded about it, anyway.