HMRC issues January 31 deadline warning

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a warning to taxpayers about an important deadline in the new year. The UK tax authority reminded those who do a Self Assessment tax return that they have just 100 days to file for the 2025 to 2026 tax year and pay any tax they owe. The deadline is January 31, 2027, but the department is encouraging people to consider filing early, touting the various benefits of doing so. HMRC said some 12million people are expected to submit a tax return by the deadline, and submitting tax returns early enables taxpayers to:

• find out how much tax they owe before the deadline
• give themselves more time to budget
• get a refund quicker if they they have overpaid
• avoid penalties

You can complete and file the return on the GOV.UK website. HMRC directs anyone unsure about whether they need to complete Self Assessment to use the GOV.UK checker tool. If you’re filing a Self Assessment return for the first time, you’ll need to register to get a Unique Taxpayer Reference to complete it.

You can inform HMRC online if you if you no longer need to submit a tax return. There is guidance on the GOV.UK website, including:

• help filling in the sections of your tax return
• videos explaining how to complete your tax return
• HMRC’s digital assistant which can answer common questions about Self Assessment

A tax agent, friend or family member, or a voluntary organisation can also help. If you’re signed up to Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, you’ll still need to submit their Self Assessment tax return the usual way and pay any taxed owed by January 31, 2027.

Self Assessment taxpayers with a PAYE income can file online before December 30, and have any tax owed collected via their tax code, HMRC says. The UK tax authority warns that criminals often impersonate HMRC to steal money or personal information in someone else’s name, and that people should always take time to stop and think if the request is genuine before providing personal information.

It also urges people to never click on links in unexpected messages or share their HMRC sign-in details. You can find guidance about spotting scams on the GOV.UK website.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “The Self Assessment deadline is 100 days away so now is the ideal time to get ahead and file your tax return early. “Guidance and support are available on GOV.UK to help you file your tax return. Just search ‘file my Self Assessment’ on GOV.UK to start yours today.”