When you calculate the tax you owe through self-assessment, HMRC ask you to make ‘Payments on Account’ (‘POAs’) towards your liability for the following tax year. By default, these are set at the same level as the previous tax year’s liability.

The first of these payments is due on 31 January in the tax year to which it relates, and the second is due on 31 July following the end of the tax year. For example, POAs for the 2018/19 tax year (6 April 2018 to 5 April 2019) are due on 31 January 2019 and 31 July 2019 and calculated based on the level of your tax liability for the previous tax year, 2017/18.

We are fast approaching 31 July, which marks the date when the second payment on account for those taxed through self-assessment becomes due.