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Millions Expected To Miss Self-Assessment Tax Deadline
The latest analysis by finance experts, RIFT, has shown that the number of HMRC customers likely to miss this month’s self-assessment tax deadline is...
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Self Assessment – Pay Now Before It’s Too Late
By the time you read this, you will have a little under three days to pay your Self Assessment tax bill. The deadline is Saturday 31 January – so really, you should be stumping up today or tomorrow.
Even then you could face a fine as HMRC is so slow and decrepit, it can take days for your payment to appear on its systems. Every year, thousand of people receive an automatic penalty of £100.00 and most never appeal it…and the penalty then attracts interest and can throw your next tax bill out – which means you could find yourself being fined again.
Still time to file
Not only do you still have time to pay, you still have time to file at GOV.UK
8.6 million people have already filed their return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year. More than 11.5 million customers successfully filed by the deadline last year and HMRC wants to help the 3.3 million still outstanding this time around to do the same.
Those who haven’t started can find help and support.
For general guidance – Click Here
For and YouTube videos – Click Here
Don’t delay
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s chief customer officer, says: “Every year, people leave it to the last minute to file or to pay. We obviously don’t advise that but it is better to try an get your return and payment in than to put it off any further.
“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
“This year’s deadline falls on a Saturday. Customers who need to speak to an adviser can call HMRC’s phone lines, which are open Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm. Phone lines close on Friday 30 January and reopen on Monday 2 February – after the deadline. For full phone support, contact HMRC before Friday 30 January. On Saturday 31 January, HMRC will offer webchat support through its Online Services Helpdesk.”
The penalties for late tax returns are:
An initial £100 fixed penalty, which applies even if there is no tax to pay or if the tax due is paid on time .
After three months, additional daily penalties of £10 per day mount 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.
HMRC will consider customers’ reasons for missing the deadline. Those with a reasonable excuse may avoid a penalty.
Making Tax Digital
Sole traders and landlords with qualifying income of more than £50,000 will be required to use Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax from 6 April 2026 and be required to submit quarterly summaries of their income and expenses to HMRC.
Picture: Customers unable to pay in full by 31 January may be able to set up a Time to Pay arrangement online if they owe less than £30,000 and meet all relevant criteria.
Article written by Brian Shillibeer
27th January 2026