Under one month until Self Assessment tax return deadline

HMRC said around 5.4 million Self Assessment customers are yet to complete their tax return ahead of the deadline on 31 January.

The agency expects 12.1 million tax returns to be filed this year. Around 55 per cent have already filed their returns, with more than 6.2 million choosing to submit online (93 per cent of all returns filed).

Almost 18,000 customers chose to start the New Year by filing their tax returns on 1 January, with 1,943 completing their returns between 15:00 and 15:59.

HMRC said those who are yet to file a return are being urged to act now, as it may be a more time-consuming process than anticipated.

“In what was a very difficult year for many, we are grateful to the 55 per cent of our customers who have already submitted their returns,” said HMRC’s interim director general for customer services, Karl Khan.

“HMRC is ready to offer support to those who are yet to file their returns or are worried about paying their tax bill, but they must act now so we can help before the deadline.”

Once customers have completed their tax return, and know how much tax is owed, they can set up their own payment plan to help spread the cost of their tax liabilities, up to the value of £30,000.

They can use the self-serve Time to Pay facility to set up monthly direct debits and this can all be done online. Interest will be applied to any outstanding balance from 1 February 2021.