Need to know
Taxpayers must file and pay their 2024/25 Self Assessment by January 31, 2026, to avoid automatic financial penalties that apply even if there is no tax to pay, or if the tax due is paid on time
All Self Assessment customers must complete their online returns and pay any outstanding tax by January 31, 2026(Image: )
HM Revenue and Customs has reported a significant rise in digital tax payments, with nearly 340,000 people using the official app since April. Taxpayers must file and pay their 2024/25 Self Assessment by January 31, 2026, to avoid automatic financial penalties.
- The HMRC app has seen a 65 per cent increase in usage for Self Assessment payments compared to the previous year. Almost 133,000 more people have chosen this digital route to settle their tax bills before the looming deadline.
- All Self Assessment customers must complete their online returns and pay any outstanding tax by January 31, 2026. Failing to meet this specific date results in an immediate £100 penalty, even if no tax is actually owed.
- Significant financial consequences apply for further delays, including daily £10 charges after three months and additional percentage-based fines after six and 12 months. Interest is also applied to any unpaid tax remaining after the initial January deadline has passed.
- Taxpayers struggling to settle bills under £30,000 in full may be eligible to set up a Time To Pay arrangement online. Other convenient payment methods include the HMRC app, direct debits, or standard online transfers via the GOV.UK website.
- Support services include 24/7 digital assistants and YouTube tutorials; however, phone lines will close on Friday, January 30, and will not reopen until after the deadline. On the final day, Saturday, January 31, HMRC will only provide assistance through its webchat service.
- New digital services mean those facing the High Income Child Benefit Charge can pay through their tax codes, rather than via Self Assessment. However, those who have sold assets since October 2024 must manually calculate Capital Gains Tax adjustments as the system won’t do it automatically.
