- Tax year start:
- Tax year end:
- Register for Self Assessment deadline:
- Deadline to submit Self Assessment tax return for 2026/27 tax year:
- Deadline to submit Self Assessment tax return for 2025/26 tax year:
In the UK, the personal tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April and is different from the calendar year, which runs from 1 January to 31 December. Individuals use the tax year for Income Tax and Self Assessment, while limited companies normally use their own accounting periods for annual accounts and Corporation Tax.
When does the UK tax year start and end?
The UK personal tax year starts on 6 April and ends on 5 April the following year. The 2026/27 tax year therefore runs from 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027. Individuals use this period for Income Tax and Self Assessment, while limited companies normally follow their own accounting periods for annual accounts and Corporation Tax.
What is the current tax year?
The current tax year is , running from to .
When is the deadline for filing a tax return with HMRC?
For the 2025/26 tax year, file your Self Assessment return by 31 January 2027 online or 31 October 2026 on paper.
How is Self Assessment changing from April 2026?
From 6 April 2026, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax applies to sole traders and landlords whose qualifying income for 2024/25 was more than £50,000. Those affected must keep digital records, send HMRC quarterly updates and use MTD-compatible software to complete and submit their annual tax return. The threshold falls to more than £30,000 from April 2027 and more than £20,000 from April 2028. Check your gross self-employment and property income to confirm when the rules apply to you.
What is the significance of income tax weeks in the UK?
Tax weeks ensure consistency and accuracy in the administration of taxes and contributions throughout the UK tax year.
A tax week is a successive seven-day period starting on , the beginning of the tax cycle, meaning one tax year is divided into 52–53 tax weeks. Within the UK tax system, income tax weeks are helpful in:
- Determining tax thresholds and allowances: Tax weeks help employers calculate PAYE deductions consistently for employees paid weekly.
- Aligning pay periods with employees paid weekly: Tax weeks align with weekly pay periods for many employees.
- Reporting PAYE Information: Employers use tax weeks to report employee pay and deductions to HMRC under the RTI system.
- Calculating NICs: NIC thresholds are determined per tax week, ensuring accurate deductions.
What is the significance of a tax month in the UK tax system?
A tax month runs from the 6th of one month to the 5th of the next month and is used to structure final dates and obligations as follows —
- PAYE Tax and NICs: Employers use tax month to align employee earnings with income tax deductions and NICs from employees’ wages.
- Submission of Payroll Information to HMRC: Employers must submit payroll information, including earnings, deductions, and NICs, using the Real Time Information (RTI) system each tax month.
- Deadlines for payment of tax bills: The tax month determines the last date for employers to make PAYE and National Insurance payments to HMRC.
The tax month framework helps maintain consistency and accuracy in reporting by streamlining tax collection and compliance processes.
What are the important PAYE tax dates in the UK?
Any employer with employees must adhere to PAYE tax dates to ensure compliance with HMRC regulations and the timely payroll reporting and payments.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Monthly and Quarterly Dates | |
| (Postal Payments) | For cheques sent by post, the payment must reach HMRC by the following the end of the tax month. |
| (Electronic Payments) | Electronic payments, including Direct Debit, Faster Payments, Bacs, CHAPS, and debit/credit cards, must reach HMRC by the following the end of the tax month. |
| Quarterly Payments For Eligible Employers | If you usually pay HMRC less than £1,500 per month and have arranged quarterly payments, payment must reach HMRC by 22 July, 22 October, 22 January and 22 April when paying electronically, or by the 19th when paying by post. |
| Annual Reporting Dates and Deadlines | |
Issue P60s to all employees, which outlines the total pay and deductions for the tax year. |
|
Submit P11D and P11D(b) forms, which report expenses & benefits provided to employees and Class 1A National Insurance Contributions, respectively. |
|
| (postal payment) | Last date for postal payments of Class 1A NICs reported on the P11D(b) form for the previous tax year. |
| (electronic payments) | Due date for electronic payments of Class 1A NICs reported on the P11D(b) form for the previous tax year. |
| End of Tax Year Filings | |
| Deadline to make certain Income Tax overpayment claims relating to the 2022/23 tax year, where HMRC’s four-year claim limit applies. | |
| On or Before the Employees’ Final Payday | Send the final FPS for the tax year and mark it as the final submission. If no employees were paid in the final pay period, send the final report using an EPS instead. |
| Deadline for submitting certain corrections to the previous tax year’s pay and deduction figures using an additional FPS. | |
Non-electronic payments must normally reach HMRC by the 19th, while electronic payments must normally reach HMRC by the 22nd. Always check HMRC guidance for the most current deadlines.
What should I do before the end of the tax year 2026/27?
Before the end of the tax cycle, you must make sure you leverage reliefs and other statutory benefits available as follows:
- Assess your tax planning opportunities that are likely to reduce your tax bill:
- Make pension contributions: Make sure to put money into a pension scheme to get tax benefits. You can normally receive tax relief on personal pension contributions up to 100% of your relevant UK earnings, subject to the standard £60,000 annual allowance for 2026/27. A lower allowance can apply to high earners or people who have flexibly accessed a pension. Pension contributions can also reduce adjusted net income, which may affect the High Income Child Benefit Charge if your adjusted net income exceeds £60,000.
- Utilise Individual Savings Account (ISA) allowance: An ISA is a tax-efficient savings and investment account with an annual allowance of £20,000. You can invest in cash ISAs, stocks and shares ISAs, or a combination of both, allowing your savings to grow tax-free.
- Put away some money as savings for your children: For a child with no earnings, you can normally contribute £2,880 net into a pension each tax year. Basic-rate tax relief increases this to £3,600 gross. Additionally, contribute up to £9,000 per year into a Junior ISA, allowing for tax-free savings to support your child’s future financial needs.
- Use your Capital Gains Tax (CGT) annual exempt amount: Individuals have a £3,000 annual exempt amount for the 2026/27 tax year. Consider the timing of taxable disposals and whether eligible investments can be held within an ISA, while taking professional advice where necessary.
- Organise your tax records: Prepare your income statements, expenditure receipts, and other financial records. Having this paperwork on your desk or in an accounting system will make your filing process much easier and reduce the chances of errors.
- Plan to clear your tax bill: Estimate your tax liability and plan to pay it. Setting aside some money throughout the year to cover your tax bill to avoid last-minute scrambles and financial strain when your payments are due is advisable.
- File your returns on time: Preparing early helps you meet deadlines and avoid penalties, interest charges, underpaying or overpaying tax. For the 2025/26 tax year, submit paper or online tax returns by 31 October 2026 or 31 January 2027, respectively. Filing on time requires early preparation and the timely organisation of all necessary documents. Procrastination can lead to rushed filings, which increase the likelihood of mistakes. By staying ahead of the last date and keeping your records in order, you can ensure a stress-free filing process and avoid unnecessary fines.
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