Tax return deadline: act now to get your paper tax return in by 31 October

Taxpayers wishing to submit a paper tax return must ensure that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) receives it by midnight on Thursday, 31 October – or risk being fined.

While most people file their self-assessment returns online, almost 400,000 people choose to fill in and post a paper version.

“If you are planning to complete a paper self-assessment return, remember that the Halloween deadline is the date by which HMRC needs to receive all necessary paperwork - not the last day that you can send your return off,” comments Stevie Heafford, tax partner at accountancy firm HW Fisher.

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“If you don’t think you will have enough time, don’t be spooked - you can still decide to complete your return online, for which the deadline is 31 January 2025.”

However, anyone who files a paper tax return after the 31 October deadline could be fined by HMRC. You’ll pay a late penalty of £100 if your tax return is up to three months late. If it’s later than this, you could face fines totalling more than £1,000.

The deadline to pay any tax due for the 2023-24 tax year is 31 January 2025 - regardless of whether you submit a paper or online self-assessment return.

The 31 January deadline to pay tax or file an online tax return may feel like a long way off, but there are actually only 100 days to go. It’s a good idea to submit it as soon as you can, and then you don’t have it hanging over your head during the Christmas break and into the New Year.

According to HMRC, 3.5 million people have already beaten the clock and submitted their tax returns for the 2023-24 tax year.

More than 12 million people need to file a tax return; more than 97% of these are filed online.

Who sends a paper tax return? 

While an overwhelming majority prefer to complete their tax return digitally, there are still some individuals who choose to complete their return via post.

You need to request a paper return if you want to file your self-assessment this way. HMRC says: “We no longer automatically issue paper returns unless there’s a reason a customer can’t file online.”

You can either download the paper tax return (download SA100 on gov.uk), or call HMRC to ask for one (0300 200 3610, Monday to Friday: 8am to 5pm).

Do you need to file a tax return? 

You must submit a tax return if you have self-employed earnings or have received untaxed income over £1,000 - or if HMRC has issued a notice to complete one.

However, it’s not just the self-employed who have to complete a tax return. Here are some more reasons why you may have to file one:

• You're a buy-to-let landlord with untaxed rental income
• You’re a higher-rate taxpayer who pays into a pension or gives to charity
• You receive child benefit and you or your partner have an income above £50,000
• You make more than £6,000 in capital gains
• You have a side hustle and make more than £1,000 a year
• You rent out a spare room, and make more than the rent-a-room limit
• You invest in a VCT or EIS

Top tips for completing your tax return

Stevie Heafford gives the following tips to avoid making common mistakes:

• Allow yourself plenty of time. Gathering all the paperwork takes longer than you think. This includes your P60, which will confirm the total tax deducted at source from your income. You will also need a record of benefits and expenses, which can be found on your P11D or P9D forms. If you have left a job in the last tax year, you will also need a P45 from your previous employer.
• Don’t forget to claim tax relief on pension contributions. Make sure you keep details of any pension contributions made to allow you to claim the right tax relief for them.
• Make sure you include charity gift aid payments. For example, have you sponsored a friend to run for charity? This can be included as HMRC provides some tax relief on charitable giving.
• If you’re submitting a paper tax return, keep a proof of postage on file in case there are any postal delays. You should keep a copy of your completed tax return and related documents.
• Remember your starting rate for savings, personal savings allowance and dividend allowance. You could receive up to £5,000 in interest on savings tax-free in addition to your personal allowance and personal savings allowance. These allowances are reduced depending on income levels. There is also the dividend allowance, which was £1,000 for the 2023-24 tax year.

What happens if I miss the 31 October deadline?  

Don’t worry, if you miss the paper tax return deadline, you can avoid a fine by submitting it online instead. Just make sure it’s done by 31 January.

However, if you submit a paper return after the 31 October cut-off, you'll be charged a £100 penalty, even if there's no tax to pay.

If you still haven’t filed your self-assessment return after three months, further penalties of £10 a day are applied, up to a maximum of £900. After six months, HMRC will fine you 5% of the tax owed or £300 (whichever sum is greater), which is repeated at 12 months.

You’ll also be charged 7.5% interest on late payments.

Watch out for scams 

Self-assessment customers should beware of HMRC scams, as tax return season is a popular time for fraudsters to target victims.

HMRC warns that criminals may use emails, phone calls and texts to try to steal information and money from taxpayers. You should never share your HMRC log-in information with anyone. A fraudster could use them to steal from you or claim benefits or a refund in your name.

We have more information about how to protect yourself from scams and what to do if you are conned in Self-assessment tax scams on the rise.