Tag: self-assessment

11.48 million beat the Self Assessment deadline

  • 97.25% of tax returns were filed online.
  • 11.48 million people filed their Self Assessment tax returns by 31 January.
  • Anyone who missed the deadline should file their return and pay any tax owed as soon as possible.

More than 11.48 million people beat the deadline and filed their Self Assessment tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year by 31 January, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) can reveal.

There were 475,722 taxpayers who waited until the final day to file their return. On the day:

  • 27,456 people submitted theirs in the final hour (23:00 to 23:59)
  • the busiest hour for submitting a return was 17:00 to 17:59, when 32,982 people filed
  • HMRC advisers handled 5,409 webchats and 10,483 calls to the helplines which, unusually, were opened on a Saturday to provide extra support to customers on the deadline day

More than 12 million Self Assessment customers were expected to file a tax return and pay any tax owed for the 2024 to 2025 tax year by 31 January. Anyone who needs to file a return and missed the deadline should meet their tax obligations as soon as possible, as late filing and late payment penalties are charged.

Customers can file their tax return now and pay any tax owed via GOV.UK. One of the quickest ways to pay is via the HMRC app. Time to Pay arrangements are available for those who cannot pay their tax bill in full, if they meet the relevant criteria. A full list of payment options is available on GOV.UK.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “Thank you to the millions of people and agents who filed their Self Assessment tax return and paid any tax owed by 31 January.

“Anyone who missed the deadline should file their return as soon as possible, as penalties and late payment interest may be charged. 

“HMRC digital channels are always the quickest and easiest way for people to sort their tax affairs. Search ‘Self Assessment’ on GOV.UK to find out more.”

The penalties for filing a tax return late are:

  • an initial £100 fixed penalty, which applies even if there is no tax to pay, or if the tax due is paid on time
  • after 3 months, additional daily penalties of £10 per day, up to a maximum of £900
  • after 6 months, a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater
  • after 12 months, another 5% or £300 charge, whichever is greater

There are also additional penalties for paying late – 5% of the tax unpaid at 30 days, 6 months and 12 months. Interest will also be charged on any tax paid late.

Customers will be able to file their Self Assessment tax return for the 2025 to 2026 tax year from 6 April 2026.

More information about Self Assessment is available on GOV.UK.

Self Assessment 2026 facts summary:

  • 12,029,168 Self Assessment returns expected
  • 11,489,825 returns received by 31 January. This includes expected returns, voluntary returns and late registrations
  • 10,957,825 expected returns received by 31 January (91.09% of returns, following adjustments)
  • an estimated 1 million customers missed the deadline
  • 11,173,825 returns were filed online (97.25% of returns, following adjustments)
  • 316,000 paper tax returns were filed (2.75% of returns, following adjustments)

Voluntary returns/late registrations are an estimate based on returns received by early January and previous filing behaviour.

These figures are indicative and may be subject to further adjustments once all figures have been ratified.

Sole traders and landlords with qualifying income of more than £50,000 will be required to use Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax from 6 April 2026 and be required to submit quarterly summaries of their income and expenses to HMRC. 

HMRC is urging eligible customers to act now – whether they’re signing up a client or themselves, get ahead of the curve by taking the first step and sign-up on GOV.UK to access the new service and start preparing now.

The Winter Fuel Payment, or Pension Age Winter Heating payment in Scotland, payments received in Autumn 2025 will be recovered in the 2025 to 2026 tax return, due by 31 January 2027.

Anyone who believes they no longer need to complete a tax return should notify HMRC as soon as possible.

Self Assessment deadline looms: 65% surge in taxpayers paying via app

  • Almost 340,000 Self Assessment filers have already paid their tax bill using the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) app.
  •  It is quick and easy to pay via the HMRC app and set up payment reminders.
  • Taxpayers need to file their return and pay tax they owe by 31 January.

The number of people using the HMRC app to pay their Self Assessment tax bill has increased by nearly 65%.

Almost 340,000 people have used it to pay since 6 April 2025, an increase of 132,788 people compared to the same period last year.

Self Assessment customers need to file their tax return online for the 2024 to 2025 tax year and pay any tax owed by 31 January 2026. HMRC is encouraging those yet to start theirs, to go to GOV.UK and do it now. Anyone who misses the deadline could be subject to an automatic £100 penalty.

Filing tax returns ahead of the deadline means knowing how much tax to pay sooner. It is quick and easy to pay via the HMRC app and set up payment reminders to make sure the deadline isn’t missed.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “The Self Assessment deadline is less than one month away, and thousands of people have already paid their tax bill via the HMRC app. It is quick and easy to do, and you can also see your payment history.

“Search ‘download the HMRC app’ on GOV.UK to access the app and make your Self Assessment payment.” 

People unable to pay any tax owed in full may be able to set up a Time To Pay arrangement, if they meet the eligibility criteria and they owe less than £30,000.

Alternative options include paying directly through a bank account, direct debit or paying online via GOV.UK. A full list of payment options can be found on GOV.UK.

HMRC expects more than 12 million tax returns to be filed by the deadline. Those who miss the deadline will be issued with a penalty:

  • an initial £100 fixed penalty, which applies even if there is no tax to pay, or if the tax due is paid on time 
  • after three months, additional daily penalties of £10 per day, up to a maximum of £900 
  • after six months, a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater 
  • after 12 months, another 5% or £300 charge, whichever is greater 

There are also additional penalties for paying late of 5% of the tax unpaid at 30 days, six months and 12 months. If tax remains unpaid after the deadline, interest will also be charged on the amount owed, in addition to the penalties above.

Customers who need assistance to complete their Self Assessment can access support and guidance online 24/7, including YouTube videos, webinars, digital assistant and step-by-step guidance covering different sections of a tax return. Most queries can be resolved online.  

Customers who need to speak to an adviser can call HMRC, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Phone lines close on Friday 30 January and reopen on Monday 2 February – after the deadline. For full phone support, contact HMRC before Friday 30 January. On Saturday 31 January, HMRC will offer webchat support through its Online Services Helpdesk.

The new High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) PAYE digital service means thousands of Child Benefit claimants who are only in Self Assessment to pay HICBC can choose to pay the charge back through their tax code.

Eligible customers can call HMRC before the filing deadline to say they want to be removed from Self Assessment to use the digital service. Where a tax return has already been filed, customers can choose to stop from the following tax year. HMRC will then amend their tax code and they will be registered to pay HICBC through PAYE.

Customers do not need to include their 2025 Winter Fuel Payment, or Pension Age Winter Heating payment in Scotland, on their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year as payments received in Autumn 2025 will be recovered in the 2025 to 2026 tax return, due by 31 January 2027.

Self Assessment customers are sometimes targeted by criminals and should never share their HMRC login details with anyone, including a tax agent, if they have one. HMRC scams advice is available on GOV.UK.

It’s a cracker! 3,275 file tax returns on Christmas Day

As millions of people enjoyed Christmas festivities this year, for 3,275 people Christmas Day was the perfect time to file their Self Assessment tax return, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed. 

A total of 22,060 customers went online to submit their form for the 2021 to 2022 tax year between 24 and 26 December, and 141 opted to file between 23:00 and 23:59 on Christmas eve, meaning they could enjoy celebrations knowing their tax return was complete.

The breakdown of figures for those who opted to file during the festive period are:

  • Christmas Eve: 8,474 tax returns were filed. The peak time for filing was between 11:00 and 11:59, when 888 returns were received. 
  • Christmas Day: 3,275 tax returns were filed. The peak time for filing was between 12:00 and 12:59, when 319 returns were received. 
  • Boxing Day: 10,311 tax returns were filed. The peak time for filing was between 12:00 and 12:59, when 953 returns were received. 

The deadline to file and pay any tax owed for the 2021 to 2022 tax year is 31 January 2023, and HMRC is urging customers to submit their tax return on time or they may face a penalty.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “We are grateful to those customers who have already filed their tax returns. For anyone who is yet to make a start, help is available on GOV.UK, just search ‘Self Assessment’ to find out more.”

Once customers complete their tax return, if they owe tax, they can find out about the different ways to pay including via the HMRC app at GOV.UK.

Those who are unable to pay their tax bill in full can access support and advice on GOV.UK. HMRC may be able to help by arranging an affordable payment plan, known as Time to Pay. Customers should try to do this online; go to GOV.UK for more information. Alternatively, they can contact the helpline. 

HMRC has a wide range of resources to help customers complete their tax return, including guidance, webinars and YouTube videos.

People need to be aware of the risk of falling victim to scams and must never share their login details which can be used to make fraudulent claims. Check HMRC scams advice on GOV.UK.

Find out more about Self Assessment.