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Company Tax deadlines: dates for submission in 2021

When you’re running your own small business, there is a lot to keep track of. The last thing you want is to accidentally miss the deadline for filing something with HMRC and get fined. Writing down all of your tax deadlines in advance is going to help you stay on top of what you need to do.

We have prepared this guide to talk you through the key tax year dates for submission coming up in 2021.

Key small business tax deadlines 2021

Here are some of the key UK tax year 2020-21 dates to mark in your calendar for the year ahead:

  • 1 January 2021 – This is the due date for payment of Corporation Tax for the accounting period ended 31 March 2020. If you haven’t paid this yet, you will need to contact HMRC and pay as soon as possible. Remember, your due date will depend on when your previous accounting period ends 
  • 22 January 2021 – This is the monthly deadline for electronic payment of CIS, NICs and PAYE to HMRC charges owed to HMRC.
  • 31 January 2021 – This is the deadline for filing 2019/20 Capital Gains Tax. If you haven’t filed this yet, you will need to contact HMRC and file as soon as possible.
  • 1 February 2021 – Due date for payment of Corporation Tax for period ended 31 May 2020. Please note that this will be a recurring monthly due date.
  • 7 February 2021 – This is the deadline for VAT returns and payments for the Accounting Quarter period which ended on 31 December 2020.
  • 22 February 2021 – Monthly deadline for electronic payment of CIS, NICs and PAYE charges to HMRC. Please note that this is a recurring deadline every month.
  • 5 April 2021 – This is the end date for the 2020/21 tax year. You must ensure that all of your accounts are in order and that you have issues all relevant documents to your employees by this date.
  • 6 April 2021 – The 2021/22 tax year begins. Check on the HMRC website to see if there are any tax changes for this year.
  • 19 April 2021 – Deadline to have submitted your 2020/21 year-end payroll form
  • 7 May 2021 – Deadline for VAT returns and payments of Accounting Quarter period ending 31 March 2021
  • 31 May 2021 – If you have employees on your payroll, they must all have received a P60 by this date.
  • 6 July 2021 – This is the deadline for submitting your P11D forms online to HMRC to declare your company’s expenses, benefits and Class 1A National Insurance contributions. You must also have given all employees a copy of this information.
  • 31 July 2021 – The second Payment on Account (POA) for Income Tax (2020-21) must be made by this date.
  • 7 August 2021 – This is the deadline for VAT returns and payments for Accounting Quarter period ending on 30 June 2021
  • 7 November 2021 – Deadline for VAT returns and payments of Accounting Quarter period ending 30 September 2020
  • 31 December 2021 – Last day to file your Corporation Tax (for companies with 31 December 2019 year end)

Who must pay Company Tax?

If your company or association is registered with Companies House, then you must file a Company Tax Return and pay Corporation Tax, even if your business has earned nothing or made a loss. HMRC will send you a ‘notice to deliver a Company Tax Return’ to your registered business address.

When do you file a Company Tax Return?

Your Company Tax Return is always due 12 months after the end of the accounting period it covers. If you miss the tax return deadline, you will have to pay a penalty fine.

The deadline to pay your Corporation Tax bill is usually 9 months and one day after the end of the accounting period covered in your return.

Take control of your Company Taxes

To ensure that you are as prepared as possible to meet your company’s tax deadlines, it is necessary to:

  • Keep all evidence of financial transactions, such as receipts and invoices (of income and expenses).
  • Use a business bank account, so that all of your company finances are kept in one place.
  • Keep an accounting spreadsheet for your business, so that you always have an up-to-date log of your business finances, or hire a professional accountant.
  • Consider taking a course in finance to help you understand how to make your business as tax efficient as possible.
  • Seek advice from an expert in small business finances.
  • Find out about tax deductions which are applicable to your small business. The system of tax deductions is complex and can be confusing at first, but the various reliefs and allowances could end up saving you considerable amounts of money in the long run.