HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging nearly 5.7 million people to look out for an important date in their calendar
Bosses at HM Revenue and Customs has warned people that unless they get their tax returns sorted they’ll dish out £900 fines. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging nearly 5.7 million people to look out for an important date in their calendar after Christmas and the New Year.
HMRC is urging millions to file their tax return or risk a £900 fine after the deadline. The deadline to file a tax return for the 2022 to 2023 tax year and pay any tax owed is 31 January 2024, HMRC has warned millions of UK households.
People worried about being hit in the pocket managed to get their returns in on key bank holidays over the Christmas period, officials said. In a new update HMRC said more than 4,600 Self Assessment customers filed their tax return on Christmas Day.
In total, 37,435 customers filed between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, suggesting that for some, festive filing is becoming as much a tradition as watching the King’s Speech or avoiding the washing up.
HMRC is encouraging Self Assessment customers, who have not yet filed their tax return, to visit GOV.UK to start theirs today. Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “Millions of customers have already completed their tax returns and can start 2026 with one less thing to worry about.
“For anyone yet to file, don’t leave it until the last minute. Filing now means you know exactly what you owe and have time to arrange payment. Search ‘Self Assessment’ on GOV.UK to get started.”
Officials advise using the HMRC app which they say makes it simple to pay the Self Assessment bill and set up payment reminders. Customers can also find help online including YouTube videos , webinars and step-by-step guidance covering different sections of a tax return. For a list of all payment methods, search ‘ Pay your Self Assessment tax bill ’ on GOV.UK.
The new High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) PAYE digital service means thousands of Child Benefit claimants who are only in Self Assessment to pay HICBC can now opt out and can choose to pay the charge back through their tax code.
If you send your tax return late
You’ll get the following late filing penalties:
- an initial £100 penalty
- after 3 months, additional daily penalties of £10 per day, up to a maximum of £900
- after 6 months, a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater
- after 12 months, another 5% or £300 charge, whichever is greater
Eligible customers can call HMRC to de-register from Self Assessment before the filing deadline in a tax year. Where a tax return has already been sent, customers can choose to de-register from the following tax year. HMRC will then amend their tax code and they will be registered to pay HICBC through PAYE.
If you pay your tax late
You’ll get penalties of 5% of the tax unpaid at:
Customers do not need to include their 2025 Winter Fuel Payment, or Pension Age Winter Heating payment in Scotland, on their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year as payments received in Autumn 2025 will be recovered in the 2025 to 2026 tax return, due by 31 January 2027.
HMRC is urging customers to stay alert to scams. Never share your HMRC login details with anyone. Find advice on spotting scams on GOV.UK.
