DO YOU KNOW THESE HMRC DEADLINES?, by UK MONEY WISDOM on YouTube. 3 min 53 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 53 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Use the free checker on GOV.UK to see whether you need to send a Self Assessment return for 2025/26. Answer the questions about your income, pensions and self-employment.
Check whether the 5 October rule applies to you. It covers people who have never sent a return, or were registered but did not need one for 2024/25 and now do.
Gather your National Insurance number, your income details and any previous Unique Taxpayer Reference before you start the form.
Create a Government Gateway account and register for Self Assessment on GOV.UK. Do this before 5 October 2026 so HMRC knows a return is coming.
If you have registered before, sign in and reactivate your Self Assessment account rather than registering again from scratch.
Wait for your UTR letter if HMRC issues a new one. You need that number to file, so register early instead of leaving it until January.
File a paper 2025/26 return by 31 October 2026 if you choose that route. HMRC must receive the form by that date.
File online by 31 January 2027. That is the normal deadline for the return itself, not 5 October.
Pay any tax you owe by 31 January 2027 as well, so filing and payment are both finished on time.
Tips and common mistakes
5 October is only the date for telling HMRC you need to file, so do not panic if the return has not been sent yet.
Register early, because HMRC posts your UTR and you cannot file without it.
Tax rules depend on your own circumstances, so check the official GOV.UK guidance or ask a tax adviser rather than guessing.
Questions
Is 5 October the deadline for sending my tax return?
No. It is the deadline for telling HMRC you need to complete a return. The return itself is due by 31 October 2026 on paper or 31 January 2027 online.
What happens if I miss the 5 October deadline?
You can still register, but you may face a penalty for not telling HMRC in time. Register as soon as you realise and check GOV.UK for your position.
Do I need to register again if I have filed a return before?
Usually not. If your account has gone dormant, sign in and reactivate it instead of starting a new registration.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
