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HMRC estimates around 5.65 million taxpayers missed filing their self-assessment returns by midnight on January 31.
On deadline day for the 2024-25 self-assessment filing, thousands of taxpayers still had to deliver their tax returns to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
HMRC reports that 54,053 taxpayers filed their returns online rather than celebrate the New Year.
Some 342 filings were made in the last hour of 2025. Another 3,927 returns were filed between 11 am and 11:59 am on December 31. The busiest time was between 4 pm and 5 pm, when 60,596 returns were received online at the rate of 17 a second.
Another 30,348 played brinkmanship by not filing until the 11th hour, with less than 60 minutes to go before the deadline.
The penalties for late tax returns are:
The £100 fixed penalty at midnight on January 31 for the missing return, even if the tax is paid or none is due
after three months, daily penalties of £10 per day start and run for up to 90 days
after six months, a further penalty of 5 per cent of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater
after a year, another 5 per cent levy or £300 charge, whichever is greater, is charged
Additional penalties of 5 per cent of the unpaid tax apply after 30 days, 6 months, and 12 months. If tax remains unpaid after the deadline, interest will also be charged on the amount owed.
To avoid the late-filing penalty, consider applying HMRC's rules as an accountant would.
The rules allow taxpayers to amend their returns at any time for up to a year after filing.
For a return due at midnight on January 31, 2026, the amendment window remains open until January 31, 2027.
To avoid the £ 100 penalty, complete your tax return as best you can, filling any gaps with estimated figures.
Make sure HMRC knows which figures are estimates by saying so and quoting the box numbers in the additional information section. HMRC will also want to know when the update with the final figures is due.
Many free apps can calculate the tax due. File the return by January 31 and pay the tax.
When you have the final figures, log back in to the return online and make the changes. If you owe a bit more tax, pay up. You may have overpaid tax; in that case, submit a claim for a refund.
Amending a self-assessment tax return is perfectly legal, so next time you face a tax deadline, and you don't have the figures to fill the boxes, mark your return as 'provisional' and buy yourself some more time.