More than 4,600 people across the UK submitted their self-assessment tax return to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on Christmas Day.
In total, 37,435 customers filed between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, suggesting that for some, festive filing is becoming as much a tradition as watching the King’s Speech.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s chief customer officer, said: “Millions of customers have already completed their tax returns and can start 2026 with one less thing to worry about.
“For anyone yet to file, don’t leave it until the last minute.
“Filing now means you know exactly what you owe and have time to arrange payment.
“Search ‘Self Assessment’ on GOV.UK to get started.”
On Christmas Eve, 22,350 tax returns were filed, with the busiest hour between 11am and 11.59am, when 3,159 customers hit submit.
On Christmas Day, 4,606 returns were filed, peaking between 1pm and 1.59pm with 359 submissions.
Boxing Day saw another 10,479 returns, with 946 filed between 3pm and 3.59pm.
Customers who file before December 30 may be able to pay any tax due through their PAYE tax code, and filing early also provides more time to explore payment options if necessary.
The deadline for filing and paying any tax owed is January 31.
The HMRC app makes it simple to pay your Self Assessment bill and set up payment reminders.
Customers can also find help online including YouTube videos, webinars, and step-by-step guidance covering different sections of the return.
HMRC is also reminding customers to stay alert to scams and not to share their login details.
Advice on spotting scams is available via the HMRC page on GOV.UK.
Some taxpayers will not need to complete a return in future under recent changes to the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC).
A new PAYE digital service means thousands of child benefit claimants, who are only in self- assessment to pay HICBC, can opt out and have the charge collected through their tax code.
Eligible customers can call HMRC to de-register from self-assessment before the filing deadline in the tax year.
If a return has already been sent, de-registration will apply from the following tax year.
HMRC will then adjust the customer’s tax code to collect HICBC through PAYE.
Meanwhile, customers do not need to include 2025 Winter Fuel Payment, or Pension Age Winter Heating payment in Scotland, on their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year as payments received in Autumn 2025 will be recovered in the 2025 to 2026 tax return, due by 31 January 2027.
For those still unsure about whether they need to complete a return, HMRC offers a self-assessment eligibility tool on its website to help users decide.
With just under a month to go before the deadline, HMRC is encouraging everyone who has not yet filed to get started as soon as possible to avoid last-minute stress and avoidable penalties.
