When are UK Tax Returns Due 2024?

At 10 Chartered Accountants, we understand the importance of staying on top of your tax obligations. As a leading Northampton-based accountancy firm, we're here to guide you through the complexities of UK tax returns for 2024. In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about when UK tax returns are due in 2024, key deadlines, and essential information to help you navigate the self-assessment process smoothly.

When are UK Tax Returns Due 2024?

The UK tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April of the following year. For the 2023-24 tax year, which ends on 5 April 2024, there are several important dates and deadlines to keep in mind:

5 October 2024: Registration Deadline

If you're new to self-assessment or have untaxed income to report, you must register for self-assessment by 5 October 2024. This ensures you'll receive your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) and activation code in time to file your tax return.

31 October 2024: Paper Tax Return Deadline

For those who prefer to file their self assessment tax returns in paper format, the deadline is 31 October 2024. However, we strongly recommend filing online, as it offers more flexibility and a later deadline.

31 January 2025: Online Tax Return Deadline

This is the most important date to remember. The deadline for filing your online self-assessment tax return for the 2023-24 tax year is 31 January 2025. This is also the deadline for paying any tax you owe.

Key Dates for Self-Assessment Tax Returns

Let's break down the tax season timeline in more detail:

6 April 2024: Start of the New Tax Year

The 2024-25 tax year begins. Any new tax rates and allowances announced in the Spring Budget will come into effect.

31 July 2024: Second Payment on Account Due

If you're self-employed or have significant untaxed income, you may need to make payments on account. The second payment for the 2023-24 tax year is due by this date.

5 October 2024: Registration Deadline

As mentioned earlier, this is the deadline to register for self-assessment if you're new to the system or have new sources of untaxed income.

31 October 2024: Paper Tax Return Deadline

If you're submitting your tax return on paper, it must reach HMRC by this date.

30 December 2024: Deadline for PAYE Tax Code Adjustment

If you owe less than £3,000 in tax and want HMRC to collect it through your PAYE tax code, you need to submit your online tax return by this date.

31 January 2025: Online Tax Return Deadline and Payment Due Date

This is the final deadline for submitting your online self-assessment tax return and paying any tax you owe. It's also the due date for your first payment on account for the 2024-25 tax year, if applicable.

Understanding Self-Assessment Tax Returns

Self-assessment is the system used by HMRC to collect income tax from individuals who don't pay all their taxes through PAYE. You'll need to file a self-assessment tax return if:

- You're self-employed or a partner in a business

- You're a company director

- You have income from rental property

- You have foreign income

- You have income from savings, investments, or dividends above certain thresholds

- Your annual income exceeds £100,000

Filing Your Tax Return Online

At 10 Chartered Accountants, we strongly recommend filing your tax return online. Here's why:

1. Later deadline (31 January vs 31 October for paper returns)

2. Automatic calculations, reducing the risk of errors

3. Immediate confirmation that HMRC has received your return

4. Option to save your progress and complete the return in stages

5. Faster processing of any tax refunds

To file your tax return online, you'll need to:

1. Register for self-assessment (if you haven't already)

2. Activate your account using the UTR and activation code sent by HMRC

3. Gather all necessary documents and information

4. Complete and submit your return before the 31 January deadline

Paying Your Tax Bill

Your tax bill may include:

- Any tax you owe for the previous tax year (known as a balancing payment)

- Your first payment on account for the next tax year

The payment deadline is the same as the online filing deadline: 31 January. You can pay your tax bill through various methods, including:

- Online or telephone banking

- CHAPS

- Debit or corporate credit card online

- At your bank or building society

- By cheque through the post

Remember, if you owe tax and don't pay by the deadline, you'll be charged interest on the outstanding amount.

National Insurance Contributions

Don't forget that your self-assessment tax return also covers your National Insurance contributions if you're self-employed. Class 2 and Class 4 NICs are calculated based on your profits and are payable alongside your income tax.

Late Filing and Penalties

Filing your tax return late or paying your tax bill after the deadline can result in penalties:

- 1 day late: £100 fixed penalty

- 3 months late: £10 per day up to a maximum of £900

- 6 months late: Additional £300 or 5% of the tax due (whichever is higher)

- 12 months late: Another £300 or 5% of the tax due

Additionally, interest will be charged on late payments, so it's crucial to meet the deadlines.

Making Tax Digital

It's worth noting that HMRC is gradually implementing Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax. While this won't affect the 2023-24 tax year, self-employed individuals and landlords with annual business or property income above £10,000 will need to follow MTD rules for their first full tax year starting on or after 6 April 2026.

How 10 Chartered Accountants Can Help?

Navigating the complexities of self-assessment can be challenging. At 10 Chartered Accountants, we offer comprehensive services to help you:

1. Determine if you need to file a tax return

2. Register for self-assessment

3. Gather and organise the necessary documents

4. Complete and file your tax return accurately and on time

5. Calculate your tax liability and National Insurance contributions

6. Plan for payments on account

7. Identify potential tax savings and allowances

8. Handle any communications with HMRC on your behalf

Our team of expert accountants stays up-to-date with the latest tax legislation and HMRC guidelines to ensure you're always compliant and optimising your tax position.

Conclusion

Understanding when UK tax returns are due in 2024 is crucial for managing your finances and avoiding penalties. The key dates to remember are 31 October 2024 for paper returns and 31 January 2025 for online submissions and tax payments. By staying organised, gathering your documents early, and filing your self-assessment tax return well before the deadline, you can ensure a smooth tax season.

At 10 Chartered Accountants, we're here to support you throughout the entire process. Whether you need assistance with your self-assessment tax return, have questions about your tax code, or want to optimise your tax planning, our team of experienced Northampton-based accountants is ready to help. Don't let the stress of tax season overwhelm you – contact us today to ensure you're prepared for the 2024 tax return deadlines and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When is the deadline for online self-assessment tax returns in 2024?
A: The deadline for online self-assessment tax returns for the 2023-24 tax year is 31 January 2025.
Q: Do I need to file a self-assessment tax return if I'm employed and pay tax through PAYE?
A: Not necessarily. You typically only need to file if you have additional untaxed income, are self-employed, or your annual income exceeds £100,000.
Q: What happens if I miss the tax return deadline?
A: You'll face an immediate £100 fine, with additional penalties accruing the longer you delay filing.
Q: Can I claim a tax refund through self-assessment?
A: Yes, if you've overpaid tax, you can claim it back through your self-assessment tax return.
Q: How long does it take to get a tax refund after filing my return?
A: HMRC aims to process online tax refunds within 5 working days, but it can take up to 8 weeks for paper returns.
Q: What is a payment on account, and when is it due?
A: A payment on account is an advance payment towards your next year's tax bill. The first payment is due by 31 January, and the second by 31 July. Each payment is usually 50% of your previous year's tax bill.
Q: Can I file my tax return early?
A: Yes, you can file your tax return as early as the day after the current tax year ends (6 April). Filing early doesn't mean you have to pay your tax bill earlier, but it can help you plan your finances better.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Company tax returns and accounts have gone digital

By Charlie Flockhart • April 21, 2026

HMRC and Companies House have confirmed that from 1 April, all businesses must use compliant, commercial software to file their company’s tax returns. As of 31 March, the free joint online service, commonly known as the CATO portal, from these two Government bodies has been removed and you must now use software to file company tax returns to HMRC. For the time being, you will still be able to file annual accounts at Companies House using third-party software, WebFiling services or paper filing. The decision has been made to end this service as it is “outdated and no longer aligns with modern digital standards”, according to Companies House. This change is in line with the introduction of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, which implemented “enhanced corporation tax requirements and changes to UK company law.” It also follows on from a major IT security breach at Companies House, identified in March 2026, that exposed the WebFiling system and allowed some users to potentially access and amend the details of other companies. Although the breach has now been resolved and security strengthened, it has raised concerns about the reliability of GOV.UK One Login service. Can you still amend previous returns using the free service? HMRC and Companies House have confirmed that now that the free filing service has closed, company directors will have to use commercial tax software if they need to make changes to a previously submitted Corporation Tax return or refile a rejected return. From now onwards, any previously filed financial information will no longer be available in the system, as it has not been retained and will need to be entered again. HMRC has said that, for amendments, it will also be acceptable to send a paper return to the Corporation Tax Services office. If you have previously filed financial accounts with Companies House and you want to make changes or corrections, this will also need to be done via commercial software or by sending paper accounts to Companies House via post. Are there any exceptions to this new rule? Companies can file a paper Corporation Tax return only in limited circumstances, such as if they wish to submit it in Welsh or can demonstrate a valid, reasonable excuse to HMRC. Otherwise, returns must be filed online using commercial software. If you are affected by this change and need help choosing and utilising commercial software to complete your Corporation Tax return, please speak to our team.

Capital allowances - New rules for a new tax year

By Charlie Flockhart • April 21, 2026

Capital allowances continue to provide an effective method for businesses to reduce their tax bills, by providing incentives for investment in eligible expenditure – typically plant and machinery. Historically, these reliefs have been subject to change and the 2026/27 tax year is no different, as the Government moves to alter two key reliefs – Writing Down Allowance (WDA) and a new First-Year Allowance (FYA). Reduction of the Writing Down Allowance The WDA will be reduced from 18 per cent to 14 per cent on the main pool of qualifying plant and machinery assets. This change has been introduced on two different dates, starting with companies subject to Corporation Tax on 1 April and followed shortly thereafter by those subject to Income Tax, such as sole traders and partnerships, from 6 April. Businesses with large brought forward main pool expenditures are expected to lose the most from the reduction in the main rate of WDA. In the long-term, the change may also reduce incentives for investment in second-hand assets and cars, which benefited under the previous rules. The new First-Year Allowance To offset some of the impact of the reduction in WDA, a new 40 per cent FYA on main rate expenditure, primarily still covering plant and machinery, will now be available. This new FYA is intended to encourage investment in areas where other FYAs don’t allow, in particular, assets bought by unincorporated businesses and leases. Sole traders and partnerships will, for the first time, be able to get additional support at the point of investment, which means that more businesses will be able to reduce their tax bill in the same year as their investment. This is expected to give a quick cashflow boost to those affected and provide additional support for future investments. However, it is important to note that this FYA does not support investment in second-hand assets, cars or leased assets in other countries. Finally, the Government has also confirmed that small business owners will continue to benefit from tax relief on electric vehicles, as the 100 per cent FYA for zero-emission vehicles and charge points has been extended until 31 March 2027 for Corporation Tax and 5 April 2027 for Income Tax. This gives businesses greater certainty when planning ahead, while also providing a strong financial incentive to invest by reducing tax bills upfront. Want to make more of capital allowances? If you think you may be eligible for capital allowances, either due to the changes outlined in this article or more generally, then it is important that you claim the tax relief available to you. If you would like help reviewing the current capital allowances that your business can claim, please get in touch.

Government abolishes work-from-home relief

By Charlie Flockhart • April 21, 2026

Directors and employees claiming work-from-home tax relief will no longer be able to claim it from the start of the new tax year – 6 April 2026. Why is this relief being taken away? The Chancellor announced the removal of the work-from-home relief as part of her latest Autumn Budget. The main reasoning given for the abolition is that it will support the nation’s deficit reduction. HMRC has also said that it no longer believes it is fit for purpose or easy to police. Who could claim work-from-home relief? Work-from-home relief has been utilised by homeworkers since the early 2000s, helping them offset some of the costs of heating, lighting, broadband and other home-office expenses required to complete their jobs. The relief allowed employees and directors to claim a flat rate of £6 per week or a deduction for actual costs. However, those who do not claim the flat fee were required to provide evidence of the exact costs, such as an invoice or bill. Eligibility for the relief only applied to individuals who had no other choice but to work from home. For instance, where the business did not have an office or the daily commute was not feasible. Individuals who simply preferred to work from home did not qualify. Is there any relief still available for home workers? The only remaining tax-free support will be reimbursements made directly by employers. This applies only where the payments relate to demonstrated additional household costs and where the costs are incurred wholly, exclusively and necessarily for employment duties. For anyone still claiming work-from-home relief, it is worth reviewing your position now to understand how this abolishment will impact your take-home pay.