📅 October 2025

It might feel like the 31 January 2026 Self Assessment deadline is ages away — but it’ll be here before you know it!

Every year, thousands of taxpayers rush to file at the last minute… and end up stressed, overpaying tax, or facing late filing penalties.

Whether you’re self-employed, a landlord, a company director, or earn income outside PAYE, now’s the perfect time to get your 2024/25 tax return organised.

Here’s your simple guide to staying ahead 👇

🗓️ 5 April 2025 – End of the 2024/25 tax year
🗓️ 5 October 2025 – Deadline to register for Self Assessment (if it’s your first time)
🗓️ 31 October 2025 – Deadline for paper tax returns
🗓️ 31 January 2026 – Deadline for online filing and payment of any tax due

💡 Miss the deadline and HMRC will charge an automatic £100 penalty — even if you don’t owe tax.

Before you start your return, gather all the necessary details:

📄 Income

• Self-employed earnings (invoices, receipts, accounting records)

• Rental income (including expenses and mortgage interest)

• Dividends, savings interest, or other untaxed income

💼 Employment & Pensions

• P60s, P45s, P11Ds

• Private pension contributions or statements

💰 Expenses & Deductions

• Business expenses (software, travel, equipment, insurance, etc.)

• Charitable donations eligible for Gift Aid

• Pension payments qualifying for tax relief

Filing early isn’t just about avoiding stress — it can save you money and help your cash flow:

✅ Know your bill sooner – Gives you months to plan and budget for your payment.
✅ Spot errors early – You’ll have time to fix mistakes or find missing info.
✅ Avoid system overload – HMRC’s website can be unreliable close to the deadline.
✅ Get refunds faster – If you’ve overpaid tax, filing early means you’ll get your refund sooner!

If you pay tax via payments on account, remember:

• The first payment was due on 31 January 2025

• The second payment is due on 31 July 2025

• The balancing payment (and first payment for 2025/26) is due on 31 January 2026

If your income is lower this year, you may be able to reduce your payments — but speak to your accountant first to avoid underpaying.

From April 2026, many self-employed individuals and landlords earning over £50,000 will need to follow Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment rules.

That means keeping digital records and submitting updates to HMRC quarterly instead of yearly.

Getting used to software like QuickBooks, Xero, or FreeAgent now will make that transition much smoother.

Filing your Self Assessment early is one of the easiest ways to take control of your finances, reduce stress, and stay penalty-free.

If you’re not sure what you can claim or want help preparing your return, we’re here to make it simple.

💬 Let Llewellyns Chartered Certified Accountants handle the hard work — so you can focus on your business (and enjoy a stress-free January).

📞 02920 624 230

📞 01443 303 230
📧 info@llewellyns.co.uk