Key tax dates you need to know if you are self-employed

Summary of key dates 

31st January	Deadline to submit self-assessment tax return online
	Pay balance of tax for prior tax year
	Pay first payment on account, if applicable
5th April	End of tax year
6th April	Start of tax year
31st July	Pay second payment on account, if applicable
5th October	Notify HMRC of chargeability to tax and NI after starting trade
31st October	Deadline to submit tax return on paper
30th December	Deadline to submit tax return if underpaid tax is to be collected by PAYE tax code

31st January 

This is the deadline for filing self-assessment tax returns as well as being the date that self assessment liabilities must be paid. If you are required to make payments on account, as well as paying the balance of tax for the previous tax year you will also be required to make your first payment on account for the current tax year. Details on paying your tax can be found here. 

5th April 

This is the end of the tax year and is an important date for tax planning. Tax planning means looking at your finances ahead of the end of the tax year and making decisions that may effect your tax liability. Click here to learn about eight ways you can save on tax. 

6th April 

This is the start of the new tax year and introduces new tax and National Insurance (NI) rates and thresholds to be aware of. 

31st July 

If you are required to pay tax payments on account, the second payment is due by 31st July. 

5th October 

For new businesses and individuals, you have until 5th October to register yourself for self-assessment with HMRC. If you started trading on 1st July 2023, you have until 5th October 2024 to register. 

31st October 

For those submitting a tax return on paper, the deadline for submission is 31st October (not 31st January). Late filing will result in penalties. 

30th December 

For those wanting to pay their underpaid tax through their tax code, the deadline for submission is 30th December. If the tax return is filed after this date, the tax will have to be paid by 31st January. 

Last updated: 23rd November 2023