One Million People Miss Tax Return Deadline

One Million Miss Tax Return Deadline

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) estimates that about 1million people missed the Self Assessment tax return deadline on 31 January 2026.

HMRC reported that 11.48 million people filed their tax returns on time, most of them online. Like previous years, many waited until the last minute. Nearly 500,000 returns were filed on 31 January, with over 27,000 sent in the final hour before midnight.

The busiest time was between 5 pm and 6 pm, when nearly 33,000 returns were submitted. Even with this rush, about a million people still missed the deadline.

If you need help managing deadlines and want to avoid last-minute stress, Naseems Accountants can help you stay organised and meet your tax obligations.

If you missed the deadline, Self Assessment Penalties 2026

If you still need to file your tax return, try to do it as soon as you can. HMRC charges a £100 late filing penalty right away, even if you do not owe any tax.

The longer your return is overdue, the more penalties you may face:

• After three months: £10 per day, up to a maximum of £900
• After six months: 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is higher
• After 12 months: a further 5% or £300

There are also penalties if you pay your tax late. These include a 5% surcharge on any unpaid tax at 30 days, 6 months, and 12 months, plus interest on the amount you still owe.

If you missed the deadline or are concerned about penalties, book your free consultation as soon as you can. Naseems Accountants can help you file your return and reduce any extra charges where possible.

What’s coming next

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax will start in April 2026 for many sole traders and landlords.

From 6 April 2026, Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax will be required for sole traders and landlords who earn more than £50,000 in qualifying income.

With MTD, you will need to:

• Keep digital accounting records.
• Submit quarterly updates to HMRC.
• Complete an end-of-year return using MTD-compatible software.

Getting ready early will help you avoid problems when the new rules start. If you need help preparing for MTD, Naseems Accountants can guide you through everything, from picking the right software to bookkeeping, quarterly updates, and final submissions.

Book your free consultation with us to make sure you are ready for Making Tax Digital.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/1148-million-beat-the-self-assessment-deadline