{"id":33010,"date":"2025-07-14T07:37:42","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T07:37:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/?post_type=knowledge&p=33010"},"modified":"2026-03-27T10:53:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T10:53:13","slug":"tax-year-dates","status":"publish","type":"knowledge","link":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/business-tax\/tax-year-dates\/","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t forget these key tax dates in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Running a small business means you\u2019ve got enough on your plate without worrying about missed deadlines. So here are the crucial business and tax dates you need to know for 2026, helping you to reduce admin time and avoid unexpected fines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At a glance: 2026 tax and business deadlines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Date<\/strong><\/td>What is due?<\/strong><\/td>Who does it affect?<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
5 April 2026<\/td>2025-26 tax year ends<\/td>All businesses and self-employed people<\/td><\/tr>
6 April 2026<\/td>MTD for ITSA begins (income over \u00a350,000)<\/td>Sole traders and landlords<\/td><\/tr>
6 July 2026<\/td>P11D form deadline<\/td>Those with employees<\/td><\/tr>
31 July 2026<\/td>Second payment on account due<\/td>Self-assessed taxpayers<\/td><\/tr>
5 October 2026<\/td>Deadline to register for self-assessment<\/td>Newly self-employed people<\/td><\/tr>
31 October 2026<\/td>Paper tax return deadline<\/td>Those filing paper self-assessments<\/td><\/tr>
30 December 2026<\/td>Deadline to collect tax through PAYE<\/td>Taxpayers with PAYE income<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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When does the UK tax year start and end?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The UK tax year runs from the 6 April to the 5 April the following year. Often referred to as the financial or fiscal year, it’s the period on which all your business\u2019s financial reporting is based.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But when does the tax year end? We\u2019re currently in the 2025-26 tax year, which ends on 5 April 2026. We\u2019ll then enter the 2026-27 tax year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun tax fact:<\/strong> The UK is one of the only countries in the world whose tax year doesn\u2019t match the calendar year. This is steeped in history and is due to the UK\u2019s change from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar in 1752.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of this discrepancy, it\u2019s important to know which tax year we\u2019re in and the key dates within it. Understanding business tax<\/a> can help you with budgeting and strategy \u2013 as well as avoiding potential fines from missed deadlines.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

April 2026: end of the tax year and digital tax changes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

5 April 2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The 2025-26 tax year ends on this date, so you\u2019ll need to make sure your accounting records are up to date. It\u2019s a good time to organise your receipts, check your expenses<\/a>, and get ready for your next tax return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 April 2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The 2026-27 tax year begins. This brings a major regulation change for many small businesses. Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA)<\/a> becomes mandatory for sole traders and landlords with a qualifying income over \u00a350,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Be aware:<\/strong> If MTD affects you, you’ll no longer be able to keep manual records. You must use compatible software<\/a> to automate your accounting, keep digital records, and send quarterly tax updates to HMRC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But don’t wait until this deadline to find or set up your software, make sure you’re all set up before this date to avoid fines and stress later down the line.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

July 2026: P11D and payments on account<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

6 July 2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re an employer, you\u2019ll need to give your employees a copy of their P11D form<\/a>. You\u2019ll also need to send a copy to HMRC by this date too. A P11D form is what you use to tell HMRC about any \u2018benefits in kind\u2019 you\u2019ve given your employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

31 July 2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your second payment on account<\/a> is due for the 2025-26 tax year. This is an advance payment towards your upcoming income tax bill. HMRC bases this figure on your previous year’s tax bill, and it helps spread the cost of your tax across the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Be aware: <\/strong>The introduction of Making Tax Digital doesn’t affect payment on account. While MTD changes how you report your income, it doesn’t change the timing of your tax payments.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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October 2026: registration and paper returns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

5 October 2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve started a business or became a landlord during the 2025-26 tax year, this is the deadline to tell HMRC. You must register for self-assessment<\/a> by this date to avoid any penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

31 October 2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you prefer to file a paper tax return, HMRC must receive it by midnight on this day. But if you’re affected by MTD, you’ll no longer be able to file a paper tax return unless you’ve been given a special exemption<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

December 2026: PAYE tax collection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

30 December 2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can ask HMRC to automatically collect the tax you owe from your wages or pension. To do this, you must file your online self-assessment by 30 December. You also need to owe less than \u00a33,000 and already pay tax through PAYE<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparing for the UK tax year dates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that you know the key tax year dates for the upcoming year, there are a few ways to help prepare:<\/p>\n\n\n\n