When is the Self Assessment deadline?

Tax year dates small businesses need to know:

• When does the tax year end?
• When does the new tax year start?
• Corporation tax year dates for limited companies
• Deadline for registering for Self Assessment
• Paper tax return deadline
• Tax return deadline for tax collected via PAYE
• Payment on account tax deadline
• Tax year dates for VAT
• Tax year dates for PAYE and National Insurance contributions

The deadline for Self Assessment 2023-24

But you can file your tax return at any time before the deadline. In fact, 70,000 people filed their 2023-24 Self Assessment on the first day of the tax year, with 300,000 filing in the first week, according to HMRC.

There are a number of benefits in filing it early. It can make it easier to plan your finances, plus help you minimise the risk of fines. Here are five reasons to do your tax return early.

The deadline for Self Assessment 2022-2023

If you’ve missed this filing deadline you’ve probably already received a fine. But the fines keep piling up the longer you delay, so it’s important to file your tax return and pay any tax owed as soon as possible.
If you need a hand, check out our ultimate guide to completing a Self Assessment tax return.

The deadline for Self Assessment 2024-2025

We know 2026 may sound like a long way off, but it’s a good idea to start thinking about your tax return as soon as you start earning money. For example:

• consider opening a business bank account to keep business and personal finances separate
• keep all your receipts for tax deductible expenses
• use an accounting app or a spreadsheet to keep track of your income, which should make everything much easier when it comes to filing your tax return
• follow our bookkeeping tips to keep your accounts in order

Other tax year dates you need to know about

We are currently in the 2024-25 tax year, and from 6 April 2025 we’ll be in the 2025-26 tax year.

When does the tax year end?

The UK tax year ends on 5 April each year.

The end of the tax year is one of the most important tax dates in the calendar. That’s because rates and allowances usually change each year.

For example, the amount you can save in an ISA resets each tax year. If you don’t use your allowance, you lose it. This means it’s important to contribute as much as you can before the new tax year starts.

When does the new tax year start?

The new tax year starts on 6 April each year.

The start of the tax year is often when new tax rules and regulations are introduced.

Corporation tax year dates for limited companies

Starting up – if you start an active (as opposed to dormant) limited company, you need to tell HMRC within three months. You can do this by completing form CT41G. You’ll normally receive this form along with the information pack that HMRC sends out to newly registered companies.

If you start a dormant company (which means you’ve set up your limited company but aren’t trading), you should tell HMRC as soon as possible to avoid being treated like an active company.

Payment deadlines for taxable profits of £1.5 million or less – you need to pay your bill by the deadline, which is nine months and one day after the end of your corporation tax accounting period. This date is known as the ‘normal due date’.

Payment deadlines for taxable profits of more than £1.5 million – you normally have to pay your corporation tax in four instalments if your total taxable profits exceed £1.5 million. You should speak to HMRC for more information.

Filing your company tax return – you need to file your company tax return within 12 months of the end of your company’s accounting period. This is known as the ‘statutory filing date’.

You need to pay corporation tax before you file your return – unlike Self Assessment, when payment is normally due on the same date as the filing deadline.

Filing annual accounts – the deadline for filing statutory accounts is nine months after the end of your company’s financial year.

Paper tax return deadline

The HMRC Self Assessment deadline is 31 October if you want to file a paper return rather than filing online. However, most businesses find it easier to file their tax return online – and under Making Tax Digital plans, paper filing soon won’t be an option.

Tax return deadline for tax collected via PAYE

The deadline for filing your online tax return if you want the tax owed to be collected through PAYE via your tax code is 30 December.

This is only an option if you have some income that’s already taxed through PAYE (as in, you’re employed as well as self-employed), and if your Self Assessment tax bill is below £3,000. See our article on tax codes for more information.

Payment on account tax deadline

Payment on account is due in two instalments across the year – it’s how you pay your tax bill to HMRC. The first payment is due on 31 January and the second payment on account deadline is 31 July.

Payment on account applies to you if your Self Assessment tax bill was more than £1,000 when you submitted your tax return for the period.

It doesn’t apply if your tax bill was less than £1,000, or if 80 per cent or more of your tax was deducted at source (for example through your tax code, or because your bank has deducted interest on your savings). Take a look at our payment on account guide if you’re not sure.

Tax year dates for VAT

All VAT returns must be filed online (unless you have an exemption from Making Tax Digital). This means you’ll need to use accounting software to keep digital records and submit VAT returns.

Our guide to filing a VAT return goes into more detail, but keep reading for a general overview:

Filing online – the deadline for online filing will normally be one month and seven days after the end of your VAT accounting period. There are exceptions to this – for example, firms using the VAT annual accounting scheme don’t qualify for the seven day extension. You can check your VAT return and payment deadlines on your online VAT account.

Paying your VAT bill – you normally need to pay your VAT bill on the same day it’s due. You need to pay electronically if you file online.

If you use the VAT annual accounting scheme – you file just one return a year, two months after the end of your accounting period. You pay your bill in instalments.

If you make monthly payments, these are due at the end of the fourth month through to the 12th month of your accounting year. This means that you make nine payments.

If you make quarterly payments these are due at the end of the fourth, seventh and 10th months of your accounting year, meaning you make three payments.

A balancing payment is then due, along with your return, two months after the end of your VAT accounting period.

Wondering how much VAT to charge on your products or services? Use our guide to working out VAT to help you.

Tax year dates for PAYE and National Insurance contributions

Monthly PAYE and Class 1 NIC payments – if you’re paying PAYE and Class 1 NICs monthly by an electronic method, payment must reach HMRC by the 22nd of each month. If you’re paying by cheque, payment must reach HMRC by the 19th of each month.

Quarterly PAYE and Class 1 NIC payments – you may be able to pay quarterly if you pay less than £1,500 a month. If you’re paying quarterly, you must pay by the 22nd after the end of the relevant quarter. You should speak to HMRC to find out whether you’re eligible.

Class 1A NIC payments – if you’re paying Class 1A NICs electronically, payment must reach HMRC by 22 July. If you’re paying by post, payment must reach HMRC by 19 July.

For a full list of important business dates to remember, see our key dates guide.

Still feeling confused about the HMRC Self Assessment deadline and tax year dates? Ask any questions in the comments.

More useful guides for small business owners

• How long do you need to keep tax records?
• Self-employed tax brackets: thresholds, rates, and allowances
• What is IR35? A guide for the self-employed
• What type of business insurance do I need?