Press release

Countdown for 5.7 million customers to file their tax return

Self Assessment customers have less than one month to file their tax returns

With less than a month to go to the Self Assessment deadline, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging nearly 5.7 million customers to file their tax return for the 2022 to 2023 tax year.聽

HMRC data shows almost 6.5 million customers have already beaten the Self Assessment clock by filing their tax return including 49,317 customers who used the New Year holiday to get a head start on their tax obligations:聽

  • 25,593 customers filed their tax return on New Years Eve, with the most popular time being between 12:00 and 12:59, when 2,677 customers filed
  • 127 customers saw in the New Year by filing their tax return between 00:00 and 00:59 on 1 January
  • 23,724 customers filed on New Year鈥檚 Day, with the most filing between 15:00 and 15:59, when 2,354 customers filed

The deadline to file a tax return for the 2022 to 2023 tax year and pay any tax owed is 31 January 2024. Customers can submit their tax returns and pay any tax owed online at 188体育.聽

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC鈥檚 Director General for Customer Services, said:聽

The clock is ticking for those customers yet to file their tax return. Don鈥檛 put it off, kick start the new year by sorting your Self Assessment. Go to 188体育 and search 鈥楽elf Assessment鈥� to get started start today.

HMRC has a wide range of resources online including a series of , help and support on 188体育, to support customers in completing their tax return.聽

The quickest and easiest way customers can pay their tax bill is via HMRC鈥檚 app which is free and secure. Information about the different ways to pay can be found on 188体育.

Customers who are unable to pay in full can access support and advice on 188体育. HMRC may be able to help by arranging an affordable payment plan, known as Time to Pay for those who owe less than 拢30,000. Customers can arrange this themselves online. Go to 188体育 and search 鈥�HMRC payment plan鈥� for more information.聽

HMRC聽will consider a customer鈥檚 reasons for not being able to meet the deadline. Those who provide聽HMRC聽with a reasonable excuse may avoid a penalty.聽The penalties for late tax returns are:聽

  • an initial 拢100 fixed penalty, which applies even if there is no tax to pay, or if the tax due is paid on time
  • after 3 months, additional daily penalties of 拢10 per day, up to a maximum of 拢900
  • after 6 months, a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or 拢300, whichever is greater
  • after 12 months, another 5% or 拢300 charge, whichever is greater

There are also additional penalties for paying late of 5% of the tax unpaid at 30 days, 6 months and 12 months. Interest will also be charged on any tax paid late.聽聽

Customers need to be aware of the risk of falling victim to scams and should never share their HMRC login details with anyone, including a tax agent, if they have one. HMRC scams advice is available on 188体育.

Further information

Find out more about Self Assessment.

During January, we鈥檙e supporting customers who have queries about Self Assessment payments, refunds and who need help completing their tax return on our helpline. For all other queries go online where you鈥檒l find guidance, videos and tools that will help you. Go to 188体育 and search 鈥楽elf Assessment鈥�.

HMRC wants to help you get your tax right. Lots of information and support is available online which includes:

  • 聽 - the assistant will help you find information, and if you can鈥檛 what you鈥檙e looking for you can ask to speak to an adviser
  • guidance notes and help sheets and provide a wealth of information if you鈥檙e stuck or confused
  • live webinars where you can ask questions or if you can鈥檛 join, you can watch recorded webinars on demand
  • HMRC app and Personal Tax Account - you can instantly find your Unique Taxpayer Reference, make a Self Assessment payment, get your National Insurance number and get your employment income and history for your tax return
  • technical support for HMRC online services for help signing into online services
  • email updates - so you don鈥檛 miss out on the latest information on Self Assessment
  • social media updates - follow HMRC Twitter @HMRCcustomers to get the latest updates on Self Assessment services and useful reminders
  • if you need extra support to help your with Self Assessment you can contact a voluntary or community sector organisation who can provide you with help and advice, or you can get support directly from HMRC

The small minority of customers who require extra support or struggle to engage with us digitally can still speak to an adviser.聽聽聽聽聽

If you think you are no longer required to complete an Self Assessment return, you can鈥�check if you need to send a Self Assessment tax return.

Customers should include their bank account details when filing, so that if HMRC needs to make a repayment, they can do so quickly and securely.

It is important that customers let HMRC know of any changes to their circumstances. Customers can use the HMRC app to update their details including a new address or name. Customers also need to let us know if they鈥檝e stopped being self-employed or need to change their business details. This can be done online at 188体育.

From 1 January 2024, online selling platforms are required to collect and report seller information and income to HMRC. These digital platforms must report sellers鈥� income by January 2025. You can read more information on 188体育.

Updates to this page

Published 2 January 2024