A million Brits missed the UK’s tax deadline – here are the penalties
HMRC has warned that an estimated one million customers missed the UK’s 2026 self-assessment tax deadline, and now face penalties.
More than 11.48 million people beat the deadline and filed their Self Assessment tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year by 31 January, the tax body’s data shows.
There were 475,722 taxpayers who waited until the final day to file their return. On the day:
- 27,456 people submitted theirs in the final hour (23h00 to 23h59);
- The busiest hour for submitting a return was 17h00 to 17h59, when 32,982 people filed;
- HMRC advisers handled 5,409 webchats and 10,483 calls to the helplines which, unusually, were opened on a Saturday to provide extra support to customers on the deadline day.
More than 12 million Self Assessment customers were expected to file a tax return and pay any tax owed for the 2024 to 2025 tax year by 31 January. Anyone who needs to file a return and missed the deadline should meet their tax obligations as soon as possible, as late filing and late payment penalties are charged.
Penalties
The HMRC warned that penalties for filing a tax return late are:
- An initial £100 fixed penalty, which applies even if there is no tax to pay, or if the tax due is paid on time
- After three months, additional daily penalties of £10 per day, up to a maximum of £900
- After six months, a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater
- Sfter 12 months, another 5% or £300 charge, whichever is greater
There are also additional penalties for paying late – 5% of the tax unpaid at 30 days, 6 months and 12 months. Interest will also be charged on any tax paid late.
Customers will be able to file their Self Assessment tax return for the 2025 to 2026 tax year from 6 April 2026.
