UK tax year calendar: dates and deadlines

The UK tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April the following year.

This is particularly important if you’re self-employed because your Self Assessment tax return is based on a tax year. PAYE also operates using tax months and tax years.

However, companies are different as Corporation Tax deadlines are generally based on the company’s own accounting period, rather than the 6 April to 5 April tax year.

Missing a tax filing or payment deadline can result in penalties and interest, so make sure you know which deadlines apply to your business.

Keep details of your tax and accounting deadlines in your business calendar and set reminders well in advance. If you use an accountant or bookkeeper, agree who is responsible for making each submission and payment.

You can also use HMRC’s online tool to check deadlines for Self Assessment, VAT, PAYE and the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) and add them to your calendar.

These are general deadlines and exceptions can apply. Check your HMRC account or current GOV.UK guidance for the deadlines that apply to you.

Corporation Tax deadlines are based on your company’s accounting period, so they won’t necessarily correspond with the UK tax year.

For most small companies:

• Corporation Tax is normally due nine months and one day after the end of the accounting period
• the Company Tax Return is normally due 12 months after the end of the accounting period.

This means the Corporation Tax payment deadline normally comes before the deadline for filing the Company Tax Return. Different payment rules apply to companies with higher levels of taxable profits.

If you need to complete Self Assessment, the main filing deadlines are normally:

• 31 October following the end of the tax year if you’re submitting a paper return
• 31 January following the end of the tax year if you’re submitting your return online.

You don’t have to wait until the deadline. You can prepare and submit your return once the relevant tax year has ended.

The main Self Assessment payment deadline is 31 January. If you make payments on account, the first is normally due on 31 January and the second on 31 July.

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax is being introduced in stages for some sole traders and landlords.

If MTD for Income Tax applies to you, you’ll need to use compatible software to:

• keep digital records of your self-employment and/or property income and expenses
• send quarterly updates to HMRC
• submit your tax return using compatible software.

Whether and when you need to use MTD for Income Tax depends on your qualifying income. Check the current thresholds and start dates on GOV.UK.

The standard quarterly update deadlines are:

7 August | 7 November | 7 February | 7 May

These quarterly updates do not replace your self assessment tax return. You still need to submit your tax return by the relevant deadline.

Most VAT-registered businesses submit a VAT Return every three months, although other VAT accounting arrangements are available.

The deadline for submitting a VAT Return is normally one calendar month and seven days after the end of the VAT accounting period. This is also normally the deadline for paying any VAT due.

If you’re VAT registered, you must submit a VAT Return even if you have no VAT to pay or reclaim.

Most VAT-registered businesses must keep digital VAT records and submit their returns using Making Tax Digital-compatible software.

Check your VAT online account for your business’s exact return and payment deadlines.

If you employ staff, you normally need to report their pay and deductions to HMRC by sending a Full Payment Submission (FPS) on or before each payday.

Most employers pay their PAYE bill monthly. Electronic payments normally need to reach HMRC by the 22nd of the following tax month. If you pay by post, the deadline is normally the 19th.

Some smaller employers that usually pay less than £1,500 a month to HMRC may be able to arrange to pay quarterly instead.

Your PAYE bill can include Income Tax and National Insurance deducted from employees, employer National Insurance and certain other payroll deductions and charges.