More than 5.6million people across the UK still need to file their Self Assessment tax return before the 31st January deadline, HMRC has warned.
Thousands of taxpayers used the New Year as an opportunity to get ahead of their tax affairs, with over 54,000 Self Assessment returns submitted on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day alone.
HMRC figures show that:
- 342 customers filed their return in the final hour of 2025
- 3,927 submitted between 11:00 and 11:59 on New Year’s Eve – the most popular hour
- 19,789 people filed their return on New Year’s Day
So far, over 6.36 million people have submitted their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year, but 5.65 million are still yet to do so.
Myrtle Lloyd, Chief Customer Officer at HMRC, has said:
“New Year is a great time to start afresh. What better way than to ensure your tax affairs are in order for another year than completing your tax return. If you have yet to start, the clock is ticking, go to GOV.UK and start today.”
Anyone who misses the deadline faces an automatic £100 late filing penalty, even if no tax is due. Further penalties apply at 3, 6 and 12 months, along with charges for late payment and interest.
HMRC is encouraging taxpayers to use the GOV.UK website for help and to make payments through the official HMRC app, where reminders and notifications can also be set up.
Those unable to meet the deadline are advised to contact HMRC as soon as possible, with the agency saying it will treat people with reasonable excuses fairly.
HMRC also reminds customers to be cautious of scams and never to share login details with anyone, including tax agents. Official advice on spotting scams is available on GOV.UK.
Probably manipulating the figures, perk of being
self employed
Lol
not just self employed have to fill in tax returns…
if you have income from any source other than a regular (PAYE) employment, you’re likely to have to do so.
filed my SA back in may of last year for CGT and also have a PAYE job
Imagine the mess HMRC are going to get in when they implement ‘Make Tax Digital’(MTD) in April. It will be more than 5.65 million that won’t comply!
Bet they will.