With just hours to go before the self‑assessment tax deadline, around 850,000 people across Britain have yet to file their returns for the 2024–25 financial year.
Anyone who misses the 11.59pm cut‑off on Saturday will automatically receive a £100 fine, prompting HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to urge last‑minute filers to act immediately.
Self‑employed workers and others required to complete annual self‑assessment returns must ensure both their submission and any tax owed reach HMRC before the deadline.
More than eight million taxpayers have already filed, but a substantial number remain at risk of penalties if they fail to act in time.
The warning comes after years of widespread late filing.
HMRC figures show three million people missed the deadline last year, all of whom were issued the automatic £100 fine.
Despite repeated reminders, hundreds of thousands continue to leave their returns until the final hours, a pattern the tax authority says remains a major concern.
HMRC insists that early submission is achievable for most taxpayers and is urging anyone still outstanding to file as soon as possible rather than waiting until Saturday evening.
Hundreds of thousands have yet to file self-assessment returns
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GETTYMyrtle Lloyd, the department’s chief customer officer, said: “Don’t leave it until deadline day. Filing now will give you peace of mind that your tax return is completed.”
Those who fail to comply beyond the initial deadline face escalating penalties.
Returns outstanding for more than 12 weeks trigger additional daily fines of £10, which can accumulate to a maximum of £900.
HMRC says the system is designed to encourage prompt action, warning that the combination of the flat £100 charge and daily penalties can quickly become costly.
HMRC says the system is designed to encourage prompt action
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GETTYAnyone who misses the deadline is advised to file as soon as possible to limit further charges.
The looming deadline comes ahead of significant changes to the tax system later this year.
From April, the Government’s Making Tax Digital programme will extend to more self‑employed workers.
Individuals earning more than £50,000 a year will be required to submit returns using commercial software, replacing the current system that allows free online or postal submissions.
The shift is expected to introduce new costs, with approved software estimated at around £320 for initial setup and annual fees averaging £110.
The programme will expand further in 2027, when the threshold drops to £30,000, before falling again to £20,000 in April 2028.
HMRC says taxpayers will be notified by letter when their income exceeds the relevant threshold and is urging those affected to prepare in advance.
