Sole trader? Freelancer? Landlord? Side hustler? This is your go-to guide for the tax year ahead.
When you work for yourself, keeping track of deadlines is half the battle. Whether it’s your first return or you’ve done a few, having a list of the key dates in one place means no surprises, no last-minute panic, and no grumpy letters from HMRC.
Bookmark this list, stick it on the fridge, or set some reminders in your phone. Whatever works for you – just don’t miss them!
31st July 2025: Second payment on account due
If HMRC asked you to pay part of your tax bill in advance, this is the deadline for the second half of your 2024/25 payment.
5th October 2025: Register for Self Assessment (if you’re new!)
If you started working for yourself and haven’t yet told HMRC, register by today to be able to file your 2024/25 return in January.
31st October 2025: Paper tax return deadline
Still using paper? Make sure HMRC receives your 2024/25 tax return by this date.
30th December 2025: Deadline to pay tax through PAYE
If you’re employed and owe less than £3,000 in tax for the 2024/25 year, file your return online by this date to have it collected through your tax code instead of paying it all at once.
31st January 2026: Online filing and payment deadline
The big one. It’s the last day to:
- File your 2024/25 Self Assessment tax return online
- Pay any tax you owe
- Make your first payment on account for 2025/26 (if required)
Remember, you don’t have to leave it until the last minute!
5th April 2026: End of the 2025/26 tax year
Everything you’ve earned or spent up to this date goes into your 2025/26 return. After today, it’s a new tax year.
6th April 2026: New tax year begins + MTD starts for some
The 2026/27 tax year starts here.
If you earn more than £50,000 from self-employment or property letting, you’ll now fall under Making Tax Digital (MTD). You’ll need to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC.
31st July 2026: Second payment on account due
If HMRC asked you to make advance payments, your second instalment for the 2025/26 tax year is due now.
5th October 2026: Deadline to register for Self Assessment
Just started working for yourself or earning untaxed income? Register with HMRC by today so you can file for the 2025/26 tax year.
31st October 2026: Paper tax return deadline for 2025/26
Filing by post? Make sure your paper return reaches HMRC by this date.
30th December 2026: Deadline to pay 2025/26 tax through PAYE
Same rule as before. If you owe under £3,000 and want it collected through your salary, file online by this date.
31st January 2027: Final deadline to file and pay for 2025/26
This is the cut-off to submit your online tax return for the 2025/26 tax year and pay any tax due. If HMRC expects you to make payments on account for 2026/27, the first one’s due now too.
File late or pay late, and you’ll likely face penalties and interest, so don’t leave it hanging.
5th April 2027: Tax year ends for 2026/27
This is the final day of the 2026/27 tax year. Make sure all your business income and expenses are up to date by this point, as anything after today goes on the following return.
6th April 2027: MTD begins for more self-employed and landlords
If you earn between £30,000 and £50,000 from self-employment or property letting, you’re now included in Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. That means keeping digital records and sending quarterly updates to HMRC is now part of the routine. Buzz makes this super simple.
Buzz keeps your books in order, your tax tracked in real time, and your deadlines handled from just £9.99 a month.
Join Buzz today and get your tax sorted without the stress.
