HMRC Tax Deadlines for 2026: Key Dates Every Business Owner Should Know

26/01/2026

With the deadline for filing online Self Assessment returns for the 2024/25 tax year approaching, many business owners will begin looking ahead to understand their upcoming compliance obligations and plan accordingly. This article outlines the key tax dates to be aware of over the coming year.

Sole Traders and Unincorporated Landlords

For sole traders and unincorporated landlords, the filing and payment dates broadly mirror those of previous years. If you submit your Self Assessment return online for the 2025/26 tax year, it must be filed with HMRC no later than 31 January 2027, with any balancing payment for the year also due on that date. If you are required to make payments on account for the 2025/26 tax year, the first payment must be made by 31 January 2026, with the second due by 31 July 2026. Payments on account are advance payments towards your next tax bill and are based on HMRC’s estimate of your liability. You will generally be required to make them if your previous year’s tax bill exceeded £1,000 and less than 80% of your total tax was collected at source. For many sole traders and landlords, these three dates will be the only deadlines they need to remember. Many sole traders overpay tax simply because they are unaware of allowable expenses and reliefs. A year-end review with an accountant can often pay for itself. 

Paper Tax Returns and First-Time Filers

If you choose not to submit your tax return online, you must do so within a shorter timeframe, as paper Self Assessment returns must be received by HMRC by 31 October 2026, although the payment deadlines remain the same as for online filers. If this is your first Self Assessment return, or if you did not submit one for the 2024/25 tax year, you must also notify HMRC that you need to complete a return by 5 October 2026. If HMRC is informed after this date, they may issue an alternative filing deadline, but the payment deadline of 31 January will still apply regardless. If you are new to Self Assessment, registering late or filing incorrectly can result in penalties. Professional support can ensure everything is set up correctly from the outset. 

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

From 6 April 2026, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax will apply to sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000. Those within scope will be required to keep digital records and submit four quarterly updates in addition to a final end-of-year declaration. The quarterly update deadlines will be 7 August 2026, 7 November 2026, 7 February 2027, and 7 May 2027, and these submissions will replace much of the current annual-only reporting process. MTD represents a major shift in compliance. Working with an accountant who uses MTD-compatible software can make the transition far smoother and help you avoid unnecessary errors or missed deadlines. 

VAT-Registered Businesses

Businesses must register for VAT if taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period, or if they expect to exceed that threshold in the next 30 days. VAT returns are usually submitted quarterly, although this can vary depending on the scheme used, and deadlines for both filing and payment are typically one month and seven days after the end of the VAT period. For example, if a VAT period ends on 31 January 2026, the return and payment would be due by 7 March 2026. As VAT periods differ between businesses, it is important to confirm your specific deadlines in advance. Choosing the wrong VAT scheme or missing reclaim opportunities can cost your business thousands. A VAT review can often identify quick wins. 

Employers and PAYE Obligations

Businesses with employees must meet several PAYE reporting and payment obligations throughout the year. A Full Payment Submission must be submitted on or before each payday, and PAYE and National Insurance contributions must then be paid to HMRC either monthly or quarterly. Monthly payments are due by the 22nd of the following month if paid electronically, or the 19th if paid by cheque, while quarterly payments are due by the 22nd immediately following the end of the quarter. There are also several fixed annual deadlines, including the requirement to provide P60s to employees by 31 May 2026, submit any P11D and P11D(b) forms by 6 July 2026 where benefits in kind are provided, and pay Class 1A National Insurance by 22 July 2026. Payroll errors are one of the most common causes of HMRC penalties. Outsourcing payroll can save time, reduce risk, and ensure employees are paid accurately and on time. 

Limited Companies

Limited companies are required to file information with both HMRC and Companies House, with deadlines determined by their accounting period and accounting reference date. Corporation Tax must be paid 9 months and 1 day after the end of the accounting period, and the Corporation Tax return must be filed within 12 months of that period ending. Companies House filing requirements are governed by the accounting reference date, which may not always align with the HMRC accounting period, with statutory accounts due 9 months after that date. In addition, all companies must file a confirmation statement covering a 12-month review period, which must be submitted within 14 days of the end of that period. For company directors, tax planning should not stop at compliance. Strategic advice on salary, dividends, and timing of profits can significantly reduce overall tax exposure. 

In preparing this article every effort has been made to ensure the content is up to date and accurate, however it is no substitute for professional advice. You should not make any decisions based solely on the information presented in this article.