HMRC ‘deadline’ reminder after 290,000 ‘do it early’

The tax authority said hundreds of thousands were “quick off the mark”

More than 290,000 taxpayers have already tackled a crucial task mere days into the new financial year – as HMRC delivers a fresh alert about approaching deadlines.

The tax authority said hundreds of thousands were “quick off the mark” in submitting their Self Assessment forms, urging others to follow suit sooner rather than later. Officials say filing early can give households a clearer picture of their finances well ahead of the crunch point. By submitting returns now, taxpayers can find out what they owe in advance, budget accordingly and even discover if they are due a refund.

There is also the added benefit of avoiding the annual January panic, when millions scramble to meet the cut-off.

HMRC said: “Filing early has a range of benefits, including finding out what you owe earlier so you can plan ahead, seeing if you’ve overpaid tax and arranging your refund, and avoiding last-minute stress.”

Key deadline still months away

Despite the early rush, taxpayers are being reminded that the payment deadline remains January 31, 2027.

That means filing now does not require an immediate payment – but failing to submit a return on time can still trigger penalties.

Self Assessment returns can be filed any time from April 6 following the end of the tax year, giving millions of self-employed workers and those with additional income streams plenty of time to act.

Who needs to file

Returns are required for those who are self-employed, as well as people with extra income – such as from rental properties or other untaxed sources.

The online system also allows users to check previous returns, track how much they owe and manage their tax details in one place.

However, HMRC warns first-time filers must register before submitting a return, while some more complex cases – including trusts and partnerships – require alternative methods.