The merging of the positions of Paymaster of the Forces, Treasurer of the Navy, Paymaster and Treasurer of Chelsea Hospital and Treasurer of the Ordnance created the Paymaster General in 1836.

It is a ministerial position in the UK, which consists of the workings of HM Revenue and Customs, formerly Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise, and reports to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Although the post is a Treasury ministry, the subject HM Revenue and Customs department is separate from the Treasury.