Do I Need to File a Tax Return?
You must send a tax return if, in the last tax year (6 April to 5 April), you were:
- Self-employed as a 'sole trader' and earned more than £1,000 (before taking off anything you claimed tax relief on) - Learn about the £1,000 Trading Allowance
- A partner in a business partnership
You may also need to send a tax return if you have any other untaxed income, such as:
- Money from renting out a property - Check if Rent-a-Room Relief applies (£7,500 tax-free)
- Tips and commission
- Income from savings, investments and dividends
- Foreign income
High Income Child Benefit Charge
If you or your partner claim Child Benefit and one of you earns over £60,000, you may need to file a return to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge.
Learn how to avoid the HICBC →Key Deadlines for the 2024/25 Tax Year
For the tax year that ended on 5 April 2025, these are the critical dates you need to know:
5 October 2025
Deadline to register for Self Assessment with HMRC if you haven't filed before.
31 October 2025
Deadline for sending a paper tax return (rarely used now).
31 January 2026
Deadline for submitting your online tax return AND paying any tax you owe.
What happens on 31 January 2026?
- Deadline to submit your online tax return for the 2024/25 tax year.
- Deadline to pay any tax you owe for the 2024/25 tax year (balancing payment).
- Deadline for your first payment on account towards your 2025/26 tax bill (if applicable).
⚠️ Missing these deadlines can result in an immediate £100 penalty plus interest.
Estimate Your Tax Bill
Don't wait until January to find out how much you owe. Use our calculator to estimate your Income Tax and National Insurance liability.
Calculate your estimated tax bill with our UK Salary Calculator →