File your 2024-25 Self Assessment tax return early

Know how much tax you owe sooner and prepare to pay your bill by filing your Self Assessment tax return ahead of the 31 January deadline.

The deadline for filing your 2024-25 Self Assessment tax return online and paying your tax bill is midnight on Saturday 31 January 2026.

Why file your tax return early?

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is urging those who need to file their Self Assessment to start their tax return early, as they can go back to it as many times as they need to before submitting it. Filing early also means that they know how much tax is owed sooner and can prepare to pay their bill by the deadline.

File your Self Assessment tax return online.

Do I need to complete a tax return?

Anyone unsure if they need to fill in a tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year can use the Self Assessment checker tool, where they can also register and notify HMRC if they no longer need to complete one.

Capital Gains Tax changes that could affect your tax return

People who have sold assets such as shares after 30 October 2024 need to be aware of the changed rates of Capital Gains Tax for the disposal of assets when completing their Self Assessment tax return, as it won’t automatically calculate the correct amount of Capital Gains Tax due. Instead, they may need to work out an adjustment to the tax automatically calculated using the adjustment calculator.

High Income Child Benefit Charge

The new High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) PAYE digital service means thousands of Child Benefit claimants who are only in Self Assessment to pay HICBC can now opt out and can choose to pay the charge back through their tax code.

Those eligible can call HMRC to de-register from Self Assessment before the filing deadline in a tax year. Where a tax return has already been sent, customers can choose to de-register from the following tax year. HMRC will then amend their tax code, and they will be registered to pay HICBC through PAYE.

Winter Fuel Payment

You do not need to include your 2025 Winter Fuel Payment on your tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year, as payments received in Autumn 2025 will be recovered in the 2025 to 2026 tax return, due by 31 January 2027.

Be scam aware

HMRC customers need to be aware of the risk of falling victim to scams and should never share their HMRC login details with anyone, including a tax agent, if they have one. For further help and guidance, see HMRC scams advice.

23 October 2025