The tax return 2024/25 deadline has come and gone, and HMRC has revealed that 11.48 million people successfully filed their Self Assessment returns by the 31 January cut-off.
Whilst this represents a significant achievement for UK taxpayers, approximately one million people missed the deadline and could now face penalties.
The figures released by HMRC paint an interesting picture of how UK taxpayers approached the 2025 tax year’s deadline, with nearly half a million leaving it until the very last day.
Understanding what happened during this filing season can help you better prepare for future tax years and potentially avoid the stress that comes with last-minute submissions.
Record Numbers Filed Online
One of the most striking statistics from this year’s Self Assessment season is that 97.25% of all tax returns were submitted digitally.
This marks a continuing shift towards online filing, with only 316,000 paper returns submitted compared to 11.17 million online submissions.
The HMRC digital services proved capable of handling the surge in traffic, even on deadline day when hundreds of thousands of taxpayers logged in to complete their returns.
The infrastructure managed to process returns smoothly throughout the final 24 hours, demonstrating how tax administration has evolved in the digital age.
For those who embraced online filing, the benefits were clear:
- Instant confirmation of submission
- Built-in calculators to work out tax owed
- Ability to save and return to partially completed forms
- Faster processing times compared to paper returns
- Reduced risk of calculation errors
The Last-Minute Rush
Perhaps unsurprisingly, many taxpayers left their submissions until the eleventh hour. On 31 January alone, 475,722 people filed their returns, with distinct patterns emerging throughout the day.
The busiest hour was between 17:00 and 17:59, when 32,982 taxpayers submitted their forms.
This evening peak likely represented people completing their returns after finishing work for the day. However, the truly dramatic moment came in the final hour before midnight.
Between 23:00 and 23:59 on deadline day, 27,456 people submitted their tax returns. That’s roughly 457 submissions every minute in that final hour.
One can only imagine the stress levels of those racing against the clock, frantically entering figures and hoping their internet connection held steady.
HMRC’s Extended Support Measures
Recognising the pressure many taxpayers face on deadline day, HMRC took the unusual step of opening their helplines on Saturday 31 January.
This weekend working represented a significant commitment to customer support, and the numbers suggest it was needed.
Throughout the day, HMRC advisers handled:
- 10,483 phone calls to various helplines
- 5,409 web chat conversations
- Countless queries about technical issues, payment methods, and eligibility questions
The decision to provide this extended support may have helped thousands of taxpayers meet the deadline who might otherwise have missed it.
It also highlights the reality that despite increasingly user-friendly online systems, many people still benefit from speaking to an advisor when completing their tax affairs.
What Happens If You Missed the Deadline?
For the estimated one million taxpayers who didn’t submit their tax return 2024/25 by 31 January, HMRC’s message is clear: file as soon as possible.
Delays typically lead to escalating penalties, so acting quickly can minimise the financial impact.
The SA penalty structure works as follows:
- Initial penalty: A fixed £100 charge applies immediately, even if you don’t owe any tax or if you’ve already paid what you owe
- After three months: Daily penalties of £10 begin, potentially reaching a maximum of £900
- After six months: An additional penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300 (whichever is greater) gets added
- After twelve months: Another 5% of the tax due or £300 (whichever is greater) is charged
These penalties can accumulate quickly, particularly for those who also owe tax.
Late payment attracts its own set of penalties at 30 days, six months, and twelve months, plus interest on any outstanding amounts.
Payment Options for Those Who Owe Tax
If you filed your return but haven’t yet paid the tax due, HMRC offers several payment methods.
One of the quickest options is through the HMRC app, which enables secure payments directly from your smartphone.
For taxpayers facing genuine financial difficulty, Time to Pay arrangements may be available.
These instalment plans allow you to spread payments over a period of months, provided you meet certain criteria. This option can prevent penalties from mounting whilst you manage your cash flow.
You can access payment services and set up payment plans directly through GOV.UK, where you’ll find comprehensive guidance on the various methods available to settle your tax bill.
Looking Ahead to 2025/26
The window for the next tax year is already opening. From 6 April 2026, taxpayers can begin filing their Self Assessment returns for the 2025/26 tax year.
Getting ahead of the deadline can significantly reduce stress and ensure you have time to gather all necessary documentation.
Making Tax Digital Changes on the Horizon
An important development is approaching for certain taxpayers called Making Tax Digital for Income Tax or MTD for ITSA.
From 6 April 2026, self employed sole traders and landlords with qualifying income exceeding £50,000 will need to use Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax.
This system requires eligible taxpayers to:
- Submit quarterly summaries of income and expenses
- Maintain digital records
- Use compatible software or apps
- Engage with HMRC through digital channels
HMRC is encouraging affected taxpayers to sign up now and familiarise themselves with the new requirements.
This proactive approach could prevent confusion and potential non-compliance when the system becomes mandatory.
The Winter Fuel Payment Consideration
One specific point worth noting for those receiving Winter Fuel Payments: if you received a Pension Age Winter Heating payment in Scotland during autumn 2025, this will need to be recovered through your 2025/26 tax return, due by 31 January 2027.
Making a note of this now could save confusion next year.
Do You Still Need to File Your 24/25 Tax Return?
Interestingly, some people who filed returns in previous years may no longer need to complete Self Assessment.
If your circumstances have changed – perhaps you’re no longer self-employed or you no longer receive income that requires declaration – you might be able to notify HMRC that you no longer need to submit returns.
Taking this step can remove an unnecessary administrative burden from your annual routine.
However, you should only do this if you’re confident your income and circumstances no longer trigger Self Assessment requirements.
Lessons from This Year’s Filing Season
The 2024/25 filing season offers several insights for taxpayers:
- Start early if possible: The 475,722 people who filed on deadline day could have reduced their stress significantly by submitting earlier
- Use digital services: With 97.25% filing online, it’s clear this is the preferred and most efficient method
- Seek help when needed: HMRC’s helplines and webchat services exist for a reason – don’t struggle alone
- Understand the penalty structure: Knowing the costs of missing deadlines might motivate earlier action
- Keep records organised throughout the year: This makes the actual filing process much smoother
Key 24/25 Tax Return Takeaways
- 11.48 million people successfully filed their tax return 2024/25 by the deadline
- Nearly 476,000 taxpayers left it until the final day to submit
- Around one million people missed the deadline and may face penalties
- Online filing accounted for 97.25% of all submissions
- Late filers should submit returns immediately to minimise penalties
- The 2025/26 filing window opens on 6 April 2026
- Making Tax Digital changes are coming for higher earners from April 2026
What You Should Do Now
If you missed the 31 January deadline, your priority should be filing your return as soon as possible. Every day you delay potentially adds to the penalties you might face.
Visit GOV.UK to access the Self Assessment portal and complete your submission.
If you’re unsure whether you need to file or have questions about your specific circumstances, professional tax advice could prove invaluable.
Understanding your obligations and getting them right the first time can save both money and stress.
For many taxpayers, the relief of having another Self Assessment season behind them will be palpable.
For those who missed the deadline, the focus now shifts to minimising the damage and planning better for next year.
Either way, the cycle continues, and 31 January 2027 might seem far away now, but it will arrive sooner than you think.
24/25 Tax Return FAQs
Q1: What was the deadline for tax return 2024/25?
A: The deadline for submitting your tax return 2024/25 was 31 January 2026. This date applied to both online and paper submissions, though HMRC encourages online filing as the faster and more reliable method.
Q2: How many people filed their tax return by the deadline?
A: HMRC reports that 11.48 million taxpayers filed their Self Assessment returns by the 31 January deadline, representing approximately 91% of those expected to submit returns for the 2024/25 tax year.
Q3: What penalties apply if I missed the Self Assessment deadline?
A: Missing the deadline triggers an immediate £100 fixed penalty. After three months, daily £10 penalties begin (up to £900 maximum). Further penalties of 5% of tax due or £300 apply at six and twelve months, whichever amount is greater.
Q4: Can I still file my tax return if I missed the deadline?
A: Yes, you can and should file your return as soon as possible. Filing late is better than not filing at all, as penalties increase the longer you delay. You can submit through GOV.UK using the Self Assessment online service.
Q5: When can I file my tax return for 2025/26?
A: The filing window for the 2025/26 tax year opens on 6 April 2026. You can submit your return any time from this date until the deadline of 31 January 2027, though filing earlier typically reduces stress and potential errors.
