New figures from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have revealed a last-minute dash to meet tax obligations, with hundreds of UK taxpayers submitting their returns as the old year ticked over.
The Race Against the Clock
Data released by the revenue body shows that 342 people filed their self-assessment tax return in the final hour of 2025. This eleventh-hour flurry was part of a broader trend, with a total of 54,053 individuals choosing to see in the new year by completing their 2024-25 tax return over New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
The most popular single hour for filing over that two-day period was between 11.00am and 11.59am on December 31, when 3,927 people submitted their forms. Overall, more than 6.36 million taxpayers have already filed their return. However, the clock is ticking for the nearly 5.65 million people who still need to complete their self-assessment before the January 31 deadline.
Penalties and Practical Advice
HMRC has issued a stark warning to those who have yet to file. Missing the January 31 cut-off triggers an initial £100 late filing penalty. This fixed penalty applies even if there is no tax to pay or if the tax due is ultimately paid on time. Further penalties can accrue for longer delays.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s chief customer officer, urged people to act: “What better way than to ensure your tax affairs are in order for another year than completing your tax return. If you have yet to start, the clock is ticking, go to gov.uk and start today.”
The authority has reminded taxpayers that they can start their return, save their progress, and revisit it as many times as needed before submission. While the bill does not have to be paid immediately upon filing, it must be settled in full by the January 31 deadline.
Staying Secure and Meeting Deadlines
To help manage payments, HMRC recommends using its official app to set up notifications for payment due dates. For those who foresee a genuine problem in meeting the deadline, HMRC advises contacting them before January 31 to explain, stating it will treat those with reasonable excuses fairly.
Finally, HMRC has issued a crucial warning about fraud. Criminals often use the pressure of the deadline to send phishing messages pretending to be from the tax office. Taxpayers should never share their HMRC login details with anyone, and should be vigilant against such scams.
