What is the UK tax return deadline?

The deadlines in the UK tax year include the 6th of April which marks the start of the tax year and payment, registration and submission deadlines on 31st July, 5th October, and 31st October and 31st January. We explain each of those self assessment tax return deadlines in detail below.

Deadline to register for self assessment: 5th October

If you need to submit a tax return for the first time, it’s crucial to register for Self Assessment by the 5th of October. The registration process varies based on your employment status. Here’s a breakdown:

Who Needs to Register?

• First-time Self-Employed Individuals
• Previously Self-Employed Individuals
• Non-Self-Employed Individuals with Additional Income

First-Time Self-Employed Registration

If you are newly self-employed and have never submitted a Self Assessment, follow these steps:

1. Register Online: Begin by registering for Self Assessment.
2. Receive Your UTR: HMRC will send a letter containing your 10-digit Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number.
3. Set Up Your Account: Use your UTR to set up an account for the Self Assessment online service.

Once your registration is complete, HMRC will determine your Income Tax rate and National Insurance contributions.

Previously Self-Employed Individuals

If you have submitted a Self Assessment tax return before, you need to complete a CWF1 form to update your self-employment status.

Non-Self-Employed Individuals

For those not self-employed but earning income outside of PAYE, the SA1 form is required. This form identifies any additional income that needs to be taxed, including:

• Income from employment
• Income from pensions
• Interest from savings
• Rental income
• Employment benefits
• Income from a trust

Additional Tips for Registration

• Check HMRC’s Guidelines: Always refer to HMRC’s latest guidelines to ensure compliance.
• Keep Documentation Ready: Gather all necessary documents before starting your registration to avoid delays.

Registering for Self Assessment by the deadline ensures you remain compliant with HMRC regulations and helps you manage your taxes effectively.

START OF THE NEW TAX YEAR: 6TH APRIL

April marks the beginning of a new financial year, bringing changes to tax regulations and personal allowances. Here’s what you need to know:

Changes in Tax-Free Personal Allowances

• Effective Date: Changes usually take effect on 6th April each year.
• Personal Allowance for 2024/25: The tax-free personal allowance for the 2024/25 tax year is set at £12,570.

Understanding Your New Tax Code

• New Tax Code Issuance: You may receive a new tax code for the year.
• Tax Code Explanation: The numbers in your tax code indicate the amount of tax-free income you are entitled to for that year.
• Annual Changes: Tax codes can change annually, so it is essential to verify their accuracy upon receipt.
• Importance of Accuracy: Incorrect tax codes can result in overpaying or underpaying taxes, potentially leading to an avoidable bill.

Preparing for Self Assessment

• Organize Early: April is a great time to organize your paperwork for the upcoming Self Assessment tax return.
• Deadline: Although the Self Assessment tax return isn’t due until January 2025, preparing early can reduce stress and uncertainty.
• Documentation: Ensure you have all necessary documentation and receipts ready to facilitate an accurate and timely submission.

By staying informed about changes in personal allowances and tax codes, and organising your paperwork early, you can effectively manage your taxes and avoid unnecessary complications.

PAYMENT ON ACCOUNT DEADLINE: 31ST JULY 

July is a crucial month for many taxpayers as it marks the deadline for the second payment on account for the tax year. Here’s what you need to know:

What is a Payment on Account?

• Advance Payments: Payments on account are advance payments towards your upcoming tax bill.
• Calculation Basis: These payments are calculated based on your tax bill from the previous year.
• Purpose: The purpose of splitting the payments is to ease the burden for taxpayers, who would otherwise face a large lump sum payment in January.

How to Make Your Payment

You have several options to make your payment on account:

• Postal Cheque: Send your payment via postal cheque.
• HMRC Online Portal: Use the HMRC online portal for convenient electronic payments.
• BACS Transfer: Make a BACS transfer from your online banking.

By understanding the importance of the 31st July deadline and utilising the available payment methods, you can stay on top of your tax obligations and avoid financial stress.

PAPER SELF ASSESSMENT TAX RETURN DEADLINE: 31ST OCTOBER

Although online filing is more common, many UK taxpayers still submit their Self Assessment tax returns via paper and postage. Here’s what you need to know about the paper submission process:

Key Points About Paper Submission

• Earlier Deadline: The deadline for paper submissions is 31st October, three months earlier than the online deadline.
• Alternative Option: If you miss the paper submission deadline, you can still file your tax return digitally by the later deadline.

Transition to Digital Filing

• Future Changes: Physical submissions are set to be gradually phased out.
• Digital Proficiency: It’s beneficial to become familiar with digital filing sooner rather than later to stay ahead of the transition.

DIGITAL SELF ASSESSMENT TAX RETURN DEADLINE AND DEADLINE TO PAY THE TAX YOU OWE: 31ST JANUARY

The final deadline of the year is when the majority of UK taxpayers submit their Self Assessment tax returns online. Here’s what you need to know:

Importance of the 31st January Deadline

• Majority Submission: Most UK taxpayers file their Self Assessment tax return online by this date.
• Support Challenges: Filing close to the deadline can mean limited access to HMRC support and overwhelmed accountants.
• First Payment on account: You may also need to complete your first payment on account for the tax you owe

Tips for Timely Filing

• Prepare Early: Collect all necessary documentation and receipts well in advance.
• Use Digital Tools: Get familiar with HMRC’s online filing system to streamline the process.

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Blog content is for information purposes and over time may become outdated, although we do strive to keep it current. It's written to help you understand your Tax's and is not to be relied upon as professional accounting, tax and legal advice due to differences in everyone's circumstances. For additional help please contact our support team or HMRC.