Tax officials have said they failing to file the papers in time will lead beign hit in the pocket i penalties
HMRC is telling people to get their tax returns of face big fines (Image: coldsnowstorm via Getty Images)
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a stark warning to taxpayers: complete your tax returns promptly or face penalties of up to £900. The tax authority is alerting nearly 5.7 million individuals to mark a crucial date in their diaries following the festive period.
HMRC is pressing millions to submit their tax returns before the deadline to avoid substantial fines. The cut-off date for filing a tax return for the 2022 to 2023 tax year and settling any outstanding tax is 31 January 2024, the revenue service has cautioned UK households.
Those anxious about potential penalties managed to submit their returns during key bank holidays throughout the Christmas season, officials revealed. In a recent update, HMRC disclosed that over 4,600 Self Assessment customers completed their tax returns on Christmas Day itself.
Altogether, 37,435 customers filed between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, indicating that for some taxpayers, festive filing has become as traditional as watching the King’s Speech or dodging the washing up.
HMRC is encouraging Self Assessment customers who haven’t yet submitted their tax returns to visit GOV.UK and begin the process immediately. 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 introduction of the new High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) PAYE digital service allows thousands of Child Benefit claimants who are only in Self Assessment to pay HICBC to opt out and choose to repay the charge 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 greate
Eligible customers can contact HMRC to de-register from Self Assessment before the filing deadline in a tax year. If a tax return has already been submitted, customers can opt to de-register from the subsequent tax year.
HMRC will then adjust 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:
- 30 days
- 6 months
- 12 months
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.
