Self Assessment Tax Return Deadline: What You Need to Know
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Tax deadlines have a habit of creeping up on us. But that doesn’t mean filling out your Self Assessment Tax Returns has to be stressful and last minute.
With a clear plan, organised records, and someone to talk things through, your personal tax return becomes a straightforward part of the year rather than a last-minute rush.
In this guide, we explain the key deadlines, who needs to file, and the steps that help make the whole process simpler and easier to manage.
When is the Self Assessment Tax Return deadline?
There are three key dates to keep in mind:
- 31 January: Online Self Assessment deadline and payment of any tax owed for the previous tax year
- 31 July: Second payment on account, if HMRC requires one
- 31 October: Deadline for paper returns, if you still submit on paper
Most business owners and directors file online, so 31 January is the deadline that matters most. Filing earlier gives you time to plan, organise cash flow, and avoid the pressure that often appears in the final week of January.
Who needs to file a Self Assessment return?
A Self Assessment tax return is required if any of the following apply:
- You are a company director with dividends or income outside PAYE
- You are self-employed and earning more than £1,000
- You are a landlord with taxable rental income
- You receive investment income, overseas income, or capital gains that must be reported
- HMRC has sent you a notice to complete a return
Some situations fall into a grey area. Directors who rely mainly on PAYE sometimes assume they don’t need to submit a personal return.
Others are unsure when small amounts of rental income or side projects reach the level that triggers reporting.
If you are uncertain, it is usually better to check early so you know exactly where you stand.
Why it pays to get ahead of the deadline
Many people put off their tax returns because it feels like a big task. Starting soon after the tax year ends usually makes everything easier and gives you three practical advantages:
- A clear understanding of your tax position
Filing earlier means you know your tax bill months before January. With more time to prepare, you can budget properly and avoid last-minute surprises.
- Less pressure gathering documents
Bank interest, dividend vouchers, rental statements, pension details, and employment documents are easier to find when you are not working against a deadline. If anything is missing, there is room to request it.
- More time to ask questions
Circumstances change from year to year. You might have sold an asset, changed income levels, or taken on a rental property. Starting early gives you time to sit down with your accountant and make sure everything is reported correctly.
Clients often tell us they feel more in control once their return is submitted well before January. That sense of calm is worth building towards.
Common Self Assessment mistakes we help you avoid
Rushed returns often cause avoidable errors. Here are some of the issues the expert team at Mollan helps our clients to avoid:
- Missing allowances or reliefs that could reduce your tax bill
- Incorrect dividend reporting for directors
- Rental income submitted without the correct expenses
- Poor budgeting for tax throughout the year
- Late filing or late payment that results in penalties
With digital record-keeping and software such as Xero, keeping track of income and expenses becomes far simpler. When the information is already organised, the return becomes more about reviewing the numbers than searching through old paperwork.
How we support your Self Assessment
Working with Mollan & Co means you have a named accountant who understands your situation. Our aim is to make each year’s filing feel more organised and far less stressful.
We will:
- Ask for the right information in a simple, structured way
- Pull together your figures and calculate your overall tax position
- Explain the result in plain English, including how the tax is made up
- Check for relevant allowances and reliefs so you are not paying more than you should
- File your Self Assessment return online before the deadline
- Talk you through payments on account and help you plan for the next year
With more than 40 years’ experience, we understand the practical challenges that come with Self Assessment and will work with you to make the process smoother each year.
Get in touch
If you want your next Self Assessment to feel more manageable, we can guide you through everything from gathering the right records to filing on time. Get in touch today.
Author ProfileI'm the owner and Managing Director of Mollan & Co Accountants. I'm a skilled and efficient accountant with more than 20 years of experience in the industry.
I developed valuable skills in business and commercialisation through my work in the science and technology departments within the Scottish University sector. Then, in 2001, I formed my own internet-based marketing company, producing and distributing 360° virtual reality tours for the Scottish tourism sector.
I now use my commercial skills, expert tax knowledge and first-hand experience to help other businesses grow and flourish through strong accounting practice.
Our success at Mollan & Co is directly related to the success of our clients.
