Another tax season has come and gone, and guess what? More than 11.5 million people managed to beat the 31 January Self Assessment deadline—phew! That’s 90.53% of the expected filers who avoided that dreaded £100 late filing penalty. But let’s be honest—many left it to the last minute (because, well… life).
The Midnight Club: Last-Minute Filers Unite!
Ever wondered how many people are frantically typing in their tax details just before the stroke of midnight? A whopping 31,442 people filed between 11:00 PM and 11:59 PM—talk about cutting it close! The busiest hour? 4:00 PM to 4:59 PM, when 58,517 filers scrambled to hit ‘Submit.’
Fun Facts from Self Assessment 2025
- 📌 12 million+ tax returns were expected this year
- 📌 97.36% of returns were filed online (because who wants to deal with paper?)
- 📌 732,498 people filed on deadline day (some probably with a strong cup of coffee in hand!)
- 📌 304,000 tax returns were still submitted the old-school way—on paper!
Missed the Deadline? Here’s What Happens!
If you didn’t file on time, don’t panic! You still need to get it done ASAP to avoid extra charges. Here’s the penalty breakdown:
- 💰 £100 fine if you’re even a day late (ouch!)
- 📆 After 3 months: £10 per day penalty (up to £900)
- ⏳ After 6 months: 5% of tax due or £300, whichever is greater
- 📅 After 12 months: Another 5% of tax due or £300
And if you don’t pay your tax bill on time? More penalties plus interest—yikes! But don’t worry—Time to Pay arrangements exist if you need a bit of breathing room.
Side Hustle? Make Sure You’re Tax Compliant!
Got an online business selling products or offering services? HMRC wants to make sure you’re paying tax on that income. If you’re unsure whether you need to file a return, check out the ‘online platform income’ guidance on GOV.UK or download the HMRC app for quick and easy access.
Lesson Learned: File Early, Stress Less!
Year after year, millions of people rush to file their tax returns at the last minute. While some thrive on the adrenaline rush, it’s probably less stressful to get it done early. So, maybe mark your calendar for next December? Future-you will thank you!
Missed the deadline? File now and avoid even bigger penalties. And if you made it on time—congrats! You’ve earned yourself a well-deserved break (and maybe a snack). 🎉