At a glance
For the 2025 to 2026 tax year, the main online filing and payment deadline is 31 January 2027. HMRC also publishes earlier dates for people who need to register, file on paper or want a tax bill collected through their tax code.
The dates to put in your diary
- 5 October 2026: tell HMRC if you need to complete a return for the previous tax year and have not sent one before or did not send one for the previous year.
- 31 October 2026: paper returns must reach HMRC by 11:59pm.
- 30 December 2026: submit an online return by this date if you want HMRC to consider collecting tax owed through your PAYE tax code, where eligible.
- 31 January 2027: submit your online return and pay any tax due by 11:59pm.
These are the published general deadlines for the 2025 to 2026 tax year. A different filing deadline can apply in some circumstances, for example after a late registration, so always check HMRC correspondence and current guidance.
Start gathering information early
A return is easier to complete when the underlying information is in one place. Depending on your circumstances, that may include income records, bank interest certificates, pension information, details of dividends, property income and expenses, or records of gains and disposals. Keep supporting records as well as the figures used in the return.
If you are self-employed or receive property income, identify the period the information relates to and distinguish turnover from expenses. If you have more than one income source, note that a return may need information from all relevant sources rather than only the one that prompted the enquiry.
Why earlier filing can help
Submitting before the deadline does not automatically mean tax is due earlier, but it can give you time to understand the calculation, correct any missing information and plan for payment. It can also make it easier to deal with a query before the busiest part of the filing season.
Do not guess if information is missing or a transaction is unclear. Tax treatment can depend on the facts and dates involved. A focused conversation early in the process is often more useful than trying to reconstruct everything near the deadline.
Making Tax Digital and Self Assessment
Some sole traders and landlords are now required to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. That changes how records and updates are handled during the year, but the annual return and payment position still need attention. Read our Making Tax Digital for Income Tax guide for the staged thresholds and practical questions to check.
Need help with a return?
Exclusive Accountants can discuss the facts, records and deadlines relevant to your enquiry. Individual advice depends on your circumstances, so this article is general information only.
Source: HMRC Self Assessment tax return deadlines on GOV.UK. Checked 1 September 2026.