Tax dates for UK businesses

In the UK, the tax year starts on 6 April and ends on 5 April the following year. For example, the 2025/26 tax year starts on 6 April 2025 and ends on 5 April 2026. ​

Here are the most important tax dates for you to remember if you’re a sole trader or self-employed.​

The online filing date for your self assessment tax return is 31 January the year after the tax year it relates to. For example, your 24/25 tax return (which covers the period from 6 April 2024 - 5 April 2025) is due on 31 January 2026.​

If you are filing a paper return, the filing due date is 31 October following the end of the tax year, so for 24/25 tax year this will be 31 October 2025. ​

If you are filing online, are an employee as well as being self-employed or a sole trader, and you wish HMRC to collect the tax you owe via your tax code you must submit your tax return by 30 December following the end of the tax year, i.e. 30 December 2025 for the 24/25 tax return. ​

If you miss the deadline you will receive a fixed £100 penalty. If you are more than 3 months late daily penalties start to accrue, with these daily penalties increasing if you are more than 6 months late and again if you are more than 12 months late. ​

HMRC has a handy calculator for estimating your late payment interest and penalties here. ​

If you can’t make payment on time, get in touch with HMRC or an accountant to see if you can set up a payment plan using installments.​

Your tax liability is due to be paid to HMRC before 31 January following the end of the tax year (the same date as your tax return is due for filing). ​

Unless it is your first year of being self-employed, your tax bill is less than £1,000, or your tax is collected at the source, you will need to pay your tax in instalments. ​

For the 24/25 tax year, the instalments are as follows:​

If you operate your business through a company structure there are more tax dates that you need to keep track of due to the additional compliance requirements associated with running a company.​

The tax due dates for a company depend on your year-end date. Contact your accountant for due dates as they relate to your situation.​

Confirmation statements must be filed at least once every 12 months and must be filed within 14 days of the end of the review period. The review period is either the date your company was incorporated or the date you last filed your confirmation statement.​

Your financial statements are due for filing with Companies House 9 months after the end of your accounting period, if you're a private company or LLP. For example, companies with a year-end of 31 March 2025 have a filing due date of 31 December 2025.​

If your first accounts cover a period of more than 12 months, you must deliver them to Companies House within 21 months of the date of incorporation or 3 months from the accounting reference date - whichever is longer.​

If you miss the filing deadline you will be charged penalties, with the penalties increasing when your accounts are more than 3 months late and more than 6 months late per the below. Please note, these penalties are for private companies and LLPs, not public companies. ​

Your company’s tax return is due for filing 12 months after the end of the accounting period, so for a company with a 31 March 2025 year-end your tax return is due for filing with HMRC by 31 March 2026. ​

If you miss this due date you will face penalties as follows:​

Your tax bill, however, is due to be paid earlier. Assuming your company is not deemed to be large, your tax liability is due to be paid to HMRC within 9 months and 1 day of the end of the accounting period (if you’re a large company you can find out more about paying your tax liability here).​

A company with a 31 March 2025 year-end must pay its tax liability by 1 January 2026. Keep in mind that interest accrues on late payments.​

VAT returns are typically filed on a quarterly basis, and the deadline for submitting the return and paying any VAT owed is one calendar month and seven days after the end of the quarter.​

For example, if the quarter ended on 31 March, the deadline for submitting the VAT return and paying any VAT owed would be 7 May.​

Filing your taxes in the UK doesn't have to be a headache. You've got options: tackle it yourself, or let a professional accountant or tax agent ease the burden.​

Don't forget: with the introduction of Making Tax digital for VAT you must submit your VAT returns through MTD-compatible software such as Xero. You can either navigate this yourself, or engage an accountant or tax agent for a smoother experience. ​

As a UK business owner, keeping tax deadlines on your agenda is crucial. But why not make it easier? At Beany, our streamlined tax questionnaire cuts through the clutter, making the process of gathering essential business information as painless as possible.​

Plus, with Beany by your side, you're not just getting an accountant; you're gaining a team dedicated to ensuring you maximise your tax deductions and avoid overpaying.​

Our friendly support team and your Beany accountant are with you every step of the way, simplifying your tax process for peace of mind and maximum efficiency.​

Planning ahead is essential for any business owner, and our accountants at Beany suggest setting aside 30% of your gross income in a separate bank account for taxes (e.g., VAT, corporation tax and income tax). This strategy helps prevent cash flow issues when tax deadlines roll around.​

Equally important is maintaining your accounting records, such as receipts, bank statements, invoices etc. HMRC requires you to keep these records for at least 6 years, so staying organised is key.​

If you're feeling overwhelmed, don't worry. Beany is here to help.​

Book a call with the team to discuss your accounting requirements and say goodbye to tax stress.​

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