Self Assessment Tax Returns: Deadlines - GOV.UK

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Self Assessment tax returns Skip contents

Contents

  1. Overview
  2. Who must send a tax return
  3. Registering for Self Assessment
  4. Sending a return
  5. If you no longer need to send a tax return
  6. Deadlines
  7. Penalties
  8. If you need to change your return
  9. Claiming a tax refund
  10. How to get help
  11. Returns for someone who has died
Deadlines

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) must receive your tax return and any money you owe by the deadline. 

If you do not know your profit for the whole tax year, you still need to send a tax return. Check how to send a return if you do not know your profit for the whole year.

The last tax year started on 6 April 2024 and ended on 5 April 2025. The deadline for earlier tax returns has passed and you may have to pay a penalty. Send your tax return or payment as soon as possible to avoid further penalties.

Telling HMRC you need to complete a return  

You must tell HMRC by 5 October if you need to complete a tax return for the previous year and you have either:

  • not sent a tax return before
  • registered before but did not need to send a tax return for the tax year 2023 to 2024

You can tell HMRC by registering for Self Assessment. Check how to register for Self Assessment. 

If you register after 5 October 2025 

HMRC will send you a letter or email with a different deadline to send your tax return by - this will be 3 months from the date on the letter or email. 

You must still pay the tax you owe by 11:59pm on 31 January 2026 or you’ll get a penalty.

Sending a paper tax return  

HMRC must receive your paper tax return by 11:59pm on 31 October 2025 or you’ll get a late filing penalty.    

You can send it any time on or after 6 April 2025 as long as HMRC receives it by the deadline. 

Submitting an online tax return  

You must submit your online tax return by 11:59pm on 31 January 2026 or you’ll get a late filing penalty.     

If you want to pay your Self Assessment bill through your tax code, you must submit it by 11:59pm on 30 December 2025. If you miss this deadline, you’ll have to pay another way.  

You can submit your return any time on or after 6 April 2025 up to the deadline. 

Paying the tax you owe  

You need to pay your Self Assessment tax by 11:59pm on 31 January 2026 or you’ll get a penalty.  

There is a second payment deadline of 31 July if you make payments towards your bill - these are known as ‘payments on account’.   

You can estimate your Self Assessment tax bill before sending your tax return to:   

  • give you an idea of what your bill is likely to be 
  • allow you to budget and pay on time 

 Find help on understanding the tax you owe. 

Trustees of a registered pension scheme or non-resident companies 

HMRC must receive a paper tax return by 31 January 2026. You cannot send a return online. 

You can send it any time on or after 6 April 2025 as long as HMRC receives it by the deadline. 

Partnership returns if you have a company as a partner   

If your partnership’s accounting date is between 1 February and 5 April and one of your partners is a limited company, the deadline for:   

  • online returns is 12 months from the accounting date   
  • paper returns is 9 months from the accounting date 
Previous:If you no longer need to send a tax return Next:Penalties View a printable version of the whole guide
  • File your Self Assessment tax return online
  • Understand your Self Assessment tax bill
  • Pay your Self Assessment tax bill
  • Self Assessment: detailed information
  • Help setting up and running a small business
  • Income Tax: detailed information
  • Self-employment: detailed information
  • Income Tax
  • Self Assessment
  • Your pay, tax and the National Minimum Wage

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