23/01/2026
Eight Days Left To File Self Assessment
HMRC is urging anyone who still needs to complete a Self Assessment return to file now, with eight days remaining until the 31 January deadline and an automatic £100 penalty for those who miss it.
So far, 8.6 million people have submitted returns for the 2024 to 2025 tax year. Last year, more than 11.5 million filed on time; around 3.3 million remain outstanding this time.
Taxpayers and agents can access step-by-step guidance, webinars and YouTube videos on GOV.UK, and HMRC's online services are available 24/7.
After filing, the quickest way to pay any tax due is via the free HMRC app, which takes less than a minute. A full list of payment options is available on GOV.UK.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Chief Customer Officer, said: "Don't leave it until deadline day. Filing now will give you peace of mind that your tax return is completed and if you have tax to pay, you have a week to arrange payment.
"If you're worried about paying your tax bill, you may be able to set up a payment plan online – search 'difficulties paying HMRC' on GOV.UK." The deadline falls on a Saturday this year. HMRC's helplines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and will close on Friday 30 January, reopening on Monday 2 February – after the deadline. For full phone support, contact HMRC before Friday 30 January. On Saturday 31 January, webchat support will be available via the Online Services Helpdesk.
Penalties for late tax returns are:
- an initial £100 fixed penalty, even if no tax is due or it is paid on time
- after 3 months, daily penalties of £10 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, whichever is greater
There are additional penalties for paying late: 5% of unpaid tax at 30 days, 6 months and 12 months. Interest is also charged on late amounts. HMRC will consider reasonable excuses for missing the deadline.
Sole traders and landlords with qualifying income above £50,000 will be required to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax from 6 April 2026, submitting quarterly summaries. HMRC is encouraging eligible customers to sign up now via GOV.UK to get familiar with the new service.
Customers do not need to include their 2025 Winter Fuel Payment (or Scotland's Pension Age Winter Heating Payment) on their 2024 to 2025 return; payments received in autumn 2025 will be recovered in the 2025 to 2026 return due by 31 January 2027.
Be alert to scams. HMRC will never ask for personal or financial information by text or email. Check the scams guidance on GOV.UK.
So far, 8.6 million people have submitted returns for the 2024 to 2025 tax year. Last year, more than 11.5 million filed on time; around 3.3 million remain outstanding this time.
Taxpayers and agents can access step-by-step guidance, webinars and YouTube videos on GOV.UK, and HMRC's online services are available 24/7.
After filing, the quickest way to pay any tax due is via the free HMRC app, which takes less than a minute. A full list of payment options is available on GOV.UK.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Chief Customer Officer, said: "Don't leave it until deadline day. Filing now will give you peace of mind that your tax return is completed and if you have tax to pay, you have a week to arrange payment.
"If you're worried about paying your tax bill, you may be able to set up a payment plan online – search 'difficulties paying HMRC' on GOV.UK." The deadline falls on a Saturday this year. HMRC's helplines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and will close on Friday 30 January, reopening on Monday 2 February – after the deadline. For full phone support, contact HMRC before Friday 30 January. On Saturday 31 January, webchat support will be available via the Online Services Helpdesk.
Penalties for late tax returns are:
- an initial £100 fixed penalty, even if no tax is due or it is paid on time
- after 3 months, daily penalties of £10 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, whichever is greater
There are additional penalties for paying late: 5% of unpaid tax at 30 days, 6 months and 12 months. Interest is also charged on late amounts. HMRC will consider reasonable excuses for missing the deadline.
Sole traders and landlords with qualifying income above £50,000 will be required to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax from 6 April 2026, submitting quarterly summaries. HMRC is encouraging eligible customers to sign up now via GOV.UK to get familiar with the new service.
Customers do not need to include their 2025 Winter Fuel Payment (or Scotland's Pension Age Winter Heating Payment) on their 2024 to 2025 return; payments received in autumn 2025 will be recovered in the 2025 to 2026 return due by 31 January 2027.
Be alert to scams. HMRC will never ask for personal or financial information by text or email. Check the scams guidance on GOV.UK.
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
24 October 2024
100 Days Left To File Your Self Assessment Tax Return
The clock is ticking for taxpayers who file Self Assessments. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding everyone that they have just 100 days left to submit their return and settle any tax owed before the January 31st deadline. For those who haven't started yet, HMRC offers a wealth of information and guidance on GOV.
100 Days Left To File Your Self Assessment Tax Return
The clock is ticking for taxpayers who file Self Assessments. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding everyone that they have just 100 days left to submit their return and settle any tax owed before the January 31st deadline. For those who haven't started yet, HMRC offers a wealth of information and guidance on GOV.
23 January 2024
HMRC Issues Self Assessment 31 January Deadline Reminder
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has urged the 3.8 million people yet to file their Self Assessment tax return are urged to "act now or risk facing a £100 penalty". HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is expecting more than 12.1 million tax returns to be filed for the 2022 to 2023 tax year along with any payment that is owed. To date more than 8.
HMRC Issues Self Assessment 31 January Deadline Reminder
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has urged the 3.8 million people yet to file their Self Assessment tax return are urged to "act now or risk facing a £100 penalty". HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is expecting more than 12.1 million tax returns to be filed for the 2022 to 2023 tax year along with any payment that is owed. To date more than 8.
14 December 2017
Former HMRC Worker Sentenced For Tax Credit Fraud
A former HMRC worker who lied about being a single parent to claim tax credits has been handed a suspended sentence. Laura Southern worked as a HMRC Benefits and Credits Compliance Manager in Belfast, where her role was to check for fraudulent tax credit claims. Between 2012 and 2017 she fraudulently claimed £34,209.
Former HMRC Worker Sentenced For Tax Credit Fraud
A former HMRC worker who lied about being a single parent to claim tax credits has been handed a suspended sentence. Laura Southern worked as a HMRC Benefits and Credits Compliance Manager in Belfast, where her role was to check for fraudulent tax credit claims. Between 2012 and 2017 she fraudulently claimed £34,209.
23 October 2023
Just 100 Days Left To Submit Self Assessment Tax Returns
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a reminder to Self Assessment customers that there is now just 100 days left to submit a tax return by the deadline of 31 January 2024. And with the clock ticking down, customers can find various types of help from webinars to step by step guides at the click of a mouse.
Just 100 Days Left To Submit Self Assessment Tax Returns
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a reminder to Self Assessment customers that there is now just 100 days left to submit a tax return by the deadline of 31 January 2024. And with the clock ticking down, customers can find various types of help from webinars to step by step guides at the click of a mouse.
04 January 2024
Self Assessment Tax Return Deadline Set For 31 January
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has reminded almost 5.7 million Self Assessment customers that they have less than a month left to file their tax return for the 2022 to 2023 tax year. HMRC data shows almost 6.
Self Assessment Tax Return Deadline Set For 31 January
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has reminded almost 5.7 million Self Assessment customers that they have less than a month left to file their tax return for the 2022 to 2023 tax year. HMRC data shows almost 6.
-




Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.

