When does the fiscal year begin and conclude?
The UK tax year, also known as the fiscal year, spans from 6 April to 5 April of the following year. This period serves as the foundation for all financial calculations, assessments, and reporting.
By the end of this fiscal period, both individuals and incorporated businesses must ensure their accounts and expenses are meticulously organised for submission to HMRC. While the deadline for settling your tax bill follows, the intervening period allows for payment planning and account reconciliation.
It’s important to note that the first payment on account for a given tax year is due on 31 January within that same year, specifically for those filing Self Assessment returns.
Limited companies operate under a slightly different framework. Their tax deadlines fluctuate based on the company’s incorporation date or its chosen accounting period.
Essential tax dates and deadlines for 2025
Below is a breakdown of critical dates for Self Assessment filers, limited companies, limited liability partnerships (LLPs), and employers.
Self Assessment Tax Dates
- 5 April 2025 – End of the 2024/25 tax year. Last opportunity to claim refunds for overpaid tax from the 2019/20 tax year (tax refund claims typically expire four years after the relevant tax year ends).
- 6 April 2025 – Commencement of the 2025/26 tax year.
- 31 July 2025 – Last day for the second payment towards the 2024/25 tax period
- 5 October 2025 – Deadline to register for Self Assessment for the 2024/25 tax year.
- 31 October 2025 – Last day for submitting paper Self Assessment tax returns for the 2024/25 tax year.
- 30 December 2025 – Last day to submit your online tax return if you wish to pay your outstanding tax through your PAYE tax code (eligibility criteria apply).
- 31 January 2026 – Deadline for online Self Assessment tax return submission for the 2024/25 tax year.
- 31 January 2026 – Deadline for paying tax owed for the 2024/25 tax year.
Limited company tax dates
- 9 months after financial year-end – Deadline to submit annual accounts to Companies House.
- 9 months and 1 day after financial year-end – Deadline for Corporation Tax payment.
- 12 months after financial year-end – Deadline to file CT600 Company Tax Return.
- 12 months after company setup (or last confirmation statement)- Deadline to submit confirmation statement to Companies House.
- 9 months after financial year-end – Deadline to submit dormant accounts.
How to avoid overpaying taxeLimited Liability Partnership (LLP) tax dates s in the future?
Individual partner Tax Returns
- For paper submissions, the deadline is October 31st following the tax year’s end.
- For online submissions, the deadline is January 31st following the tax year’s end.
Corporate partner Tax Returns
- For paper submissions, the deadline is 9 months after the relevant tax period ends.
- For online submissions, the deadline is 12 months after the relevant tax period ends.
Confirmation statement
This must be submitted annually, within 14 days of the 12-month anniversary of the LLP’s incorporation or the date of the last submitted statement.
Annual accounts
The deadline for filing a Limited Liability Partnership’s (LLP) annual accounts with Companies House is set at 9 months following the conclusion of its financial year.
Employer Tax Dates (PAYE)
- 2-4 weeks before first payday – New employees register for PAYE.
- On or before each payday – Submit Full Payment Submission.
- 19th (post) / 22nd (electronic) of each month – PAYE, CIS, and NIC payments due to HMRC.
- 6 April 2025 – Update employee payroll records for the new tax year.
- 19 April 2025 – Deadline for final Full Payment Submission and Employer Payment Summary (if applicable) and PAYE/NICs payment.
- 31 May 2025 – Deadline to provide P60s to employees.
- 6 July 2025 – Deadline to report employee expenses and benefits (P11D and P11D(b) forms).
- 19 July (post) / 22 July (electronic) 2025 – Deadline to pay Class 1A NICs.
VAT submission deadlines
Value Added Tax (VAT) is a 20% levy that VAT-registered businesses add to the price of their goods and services. These businesses then collect this tax from customers and remit it to HMRC, typically on a quarterly basis.
Businesses with an annual turnover below £90,000 have the option to voluntarily register for VAT. However, registration becomes mandatory once turnover exceeds this threshold, and businesses must register within 30 days of surpassing it.
The majority of VAT-registered businesses are required to file their VAT returns and make payments to HMRC every three months.
Businesses with an annual turnover under £1.35 million can opt for the VAT Annual Accounting Scheme, which allows them to make a single annual payment in advance.
The standard deadline for submitting VAT returns and payments is one month and seven days following the end of the relevant VAT period.
For example, a VAT period ending on March 31st necessitates a return submission and payment by May 7th. Similarly, a period ending on December 31st requires submission and payment by February 7th of the following year.
Quarterly VAT periods and payment deadlines
| Quarter | Period start | Period end | Payments due |
| Q1 | January 1st | March 31st | May 7th |
| Q2 | April 1st | June 30th | August 7th |
| Q3 | July 1st | September 30th | November 7th |
| Q4 | October 1st | December 31st | February 7th |
Making Tax Digital (MTD)
Making Tax Digital (MTD) is a government-led programme designed to modernise the UK tax system, aiming to improve its efficiency, effectiveness, and accuracy for taxpayers.
The rollout of MTD began in April 2019, initially mandating VAT-registered businesses exceeding the then-current VAT threshold (now £90,000) to submit their VAT returns digitally. Currently, all VAT-registered businesses are required to use MTD for VAT.
The scope of MTD is expanding. Starting in April 2026, self-employed individuals and landlords earning over £50,000 annually will be mandated to keep digital records and submit quarterly income tax updates to HMRC using MTD-compliant software. This requirement will further extend to those with incomes over £30,000 starting April 2027.
The implementation of MTD for Corporation Tax is still in development and is not expected before 2026.
