What is the rationale behind paying advance payments towards tax bill as a self-employed individual? In order to pay taxes as an self-employed person, first I need to know what my expenses are for whole tax year. But unfortunately I am required to pay tax based on how much I made the previous tax year -why?

Stop HMRC asking self-employed people to pay estimated tax in advance!

Senseless cause of stress, and a way for the HMRC to get interest that is not rightfully theirs.

Food and Beverage Manufacturing

Level 3 Change Maker

Self-employed people don't have guaranteed income, especially when they launch their business. HMRC can't predict future income any more than the self-employed workers can. The Government doesn't help self-employed workers much anyway, so any moves to make life for difficult are likely to result in a reduction of support for the Government from self-employed people.

Media and Entertainment

Level 2 Change Maker

Paying tax in advance is a rip off by HMRC, on top of that they charge interest for delaying the advance payments, it is totally unfair

Real Estate and Property Development

Required to pay in advance is absolutley killing us

Business and Professional Services

Totally unfair system that puts extra pressure on the self employed

Level 1 Change Maker

If a business has inconsistent income it causes huge problems

It's not fair on self employed to take tax I'm advance even though you don't know your earnings in advance and how is it going to work very confused and awkward decision