At the start of January, 5.7 million people were yet to file their return, although thousands of people used the new year period to do so, including 25,593 on New Year's Eve and 23,724 on New Year's Day (which included 127 people filing their tax return between midnight and 1am on January 1st!).

When is the Self Assessment tax return deadline?

The deadline to file a tax return for the 2022-2023 tax year and pay any tax owed is January 31st 2024.

People can submit their tax returns and pay any tax owed by logging into their Government Gateway account on GOV.UK. You'll also need your Unique Taxpayer Reference number.

For details on how to log in, or how to set up a Government Gateway account if you have yet to do so, visit the 'File your Self Assessment tax return online' page on GOV.UK.

Need help with your tax return?

There are lots of tools and resources available to help: 

• HMRC's digital assistant  - the assistant will help you find information, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for you can ask to speak to an adviser
• Guidance notes and help sheets with a wealth of information
• A series of video tutorials
• Live and recorded webinars
• Download the HMRC app
• Subscribe to HMRC email updates for the latest information on Self Assessment

Do you need technical support?

Find technical support for help signing into HMRC online services.

Do you need extra or specialist support?

You can get extra support if your personal circumstances make dealing with taxes and tax returns difficult. For example, if:

• you have dyslexia, autism or cognitive difficulties
• you have reduced mobility or physical disabilities
• you have sensory disabilities, like a visual, hearing or speech impairment
• you have mental health conditions, like depression, stress or anxiety
• you’re experiencing financial hardship - for example you cannot afford essentials like food, bills or rent (you may be able to pay in instalments)
• you’re a victim of domestic abuse, including economic abuse
• you're a refugee or migrant
• English is not your first language and you require an interpreter
• you’re receiving treatment in hospital

For support on the above, you can contact a voluntary or community sector organisation who can provide you with help and advice,   or contact HMRC via the links here.

Penalties for late filing and paying tax owed

Penalties for late filing start with a fixed £100 penalty, with greater financial penalties coming after 3, 6 and 12 months, depending on how late the return is filed. There are also penalties for paying any tax owed late, with interest also charged on any tax paid late.

Beware of scams

Be aware of the risk of falling victim to scams that mention HMRC and tax returns. Never share your HMRC login details with anyone. HMRC provides advice on how to deal with scams.

Check if you need to send a Self Assessment tax return

If you're not sure if you are still required to complete a Self Assessment return, you can check via this online tool and learn more details here.