File your 2025-26 Self Assessment tax return early

Filing early has a range of benefits, such as knowing sooner what you owe and reducing the last-minute stress of meeting the 31 January deadline.

The deadline for filing your 2025-26 Self Assessment tax return online and paying your tax bill is midnight on Sunday 31 January 2027.

Why should I file my Self Assessment tax return early?

The benefits of filing your tax return early include:

• find out what you owe sooner so you can plan ahead
• see if you've overpaid tax and arrange a refund
• fix any mistakes in good time
• get proof of income for mortgages, loan applications, or benefits claims
• stay ahead of fraudsters by avoiding last-minute scams
• avoid the stress of filing close to the deadline

Filing early doesn't mean you need to pay your tax bill straight away as the payment deadline remains 31 January 2027.

HMRC has updated guidance on filing tax returns early, which explains the process and benefits in more detail.

How do I file my tax return?

You can file your Self Assessment tax return online using HMRC’s online service. To get started, sign in or register with HMRC and follow the step‑by‑step instructions to complete and submit your return.

File your Self Assessment tax return online.

First published 13 May 2026