Millions Still Racing the Clock as the Self Assessment Tax Deadline Nears
Right now, there’s a real sense of urgency building around Self Assessment tax returns, because the deadline is getting closer by the day. With less than a month left until 31 January, it has been confirmed that around 5.65 million people in the UK still need to file their Self Assessment tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year. While millions have already got their paperwork sorted, a huge number are still facing that ticking clock.
Interestingly, the New Year sparked a last-minute burst of motivation for many taxpayers. Thousands chose to welcome 2026 by filing their returns over New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. In fact, more than 54,000 people submitted their returns across those two days alone. Some even filed in the final hour of 2025, while others swapped their usual New Year’s Day routines for time spent sorting out their tax affairs. It shows how seriously many people are taking the deadline, even during the holidays.
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So far, about 6.36 million people have already filed, meaning they can head into the new year knowing their tax affairs are in order. However, for those who haven’t started yet, the pressure is on. Missing the 31 January deadline can be costly. An automatic £100 late filing penalty is applied, even if there’s no tax to pay. If delays continue, daily penalties and percentage-based charges can be added, and interest may also be charged on unpaid tax. These costs can quickly stack up.
HM Revenue & Customs has been encouraging people to act now rather than leave things to the last minute. It has been highlighted that online tools and guidance are widely available, making it easier to complete a return. One useful feature is that a tax return can be started, saved, and revisited as many times as needed before submission. Also, once the return is filed, payment doesn’t have to be made immediately, as long as it’s settled by the deadline.
For many, the HMRC app has been promoted as the simplest way to manage payments and receive reminders. Those who may struggle to meet the deadline have also been reminded to contact HMRC in advance, as reasonable excuses are expected to be treated fairly.
Overall, this is a clear reminder moment for millions across the UK. With penalties looming and time running out, getting started sooner rather than later could save a lot of stress, money, and last-minute panic as the January deadline approaches fast.
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