With the Self-Assessment deadline less than 1 month away, HMRC have announced that 5.65 million tax returns are still outstanding. That is almost half of the expected 12 million tax returns due to be filed for the tax year 2024/25.
HMRC have announced that over 54,000 tax returns were filed on 31st December 2025 and 1st January 2026. This includes 342 tax returns filed in the hour leading up to midnight on New Years Eve.
These numbers are actually quite small when considering that to meet the 5.65 million still outstanding, an average of 182,000 per a day need to be filed in January.
Read the full HMRC announcement
The deadline to file your 2024/25 self-assessment tax return is 31st January 2026.
All tax returns must now be filed online. The deadline to file a paper tax return was 31st October 2025.
Not all taxpayers need to complete a tax return. This is because most individuals have their tax automatically deduced via their employment (PAYE).
The most common reasons a tax return is required include:
– Income from self-employment
– Income from a partnership
– Rental income
– Foreign income
– Income from savings, investments or dividends above tax free thresholds
– Earnings over £60,000 and claimed child benefit – see HMRC calculator
Try the HMRC Self-Assessment Checker if you aren’t sure whether you need to complete a tax return?
With only 4 weeks until the filing deadline it is important to act now.
If you complete your own tax return start collating the information. Ensure that you know how to file the self-assessment tax return. Remember that it needs to be filed electronically, which means having logins and passwords set up with HMRC via your own tax account.
Alternatively use an accountant and get the information to them as soon as possible.
If you are still unsure and don’t have an accountant then consider appointing a qualified tax advisor to do this for you. You can contact ourselves using our quote page.
If you miss the 31st January self-assessment deadline the filing penalty is £100. This is the minimum penalty.
The penalties increase over time so the earlier the tax return is completed, the lower the fines.
For a full breakdown of the self-assessment penalties see our blog what are the personal tax return penalties?
DISCLAIMER – Please note that the content contained in this article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice – read our full disclaimer