Paper tax return deadline on 31 October final reminder

Sara White, Editor, Business & Accountancy Daily, Croner-i

Any taxpayers still doing a paper self assessment tax return must file their 2024-25 forms by Friday 31 October, which means getting them in the post sharpish.

Paper tax returns need to arrive with HMRC by Friday 31 October so it is vital to send by first class post now the deadline is fast approaching. Paper versions of form SA100 are available to download from HMRC’s website.

All taxable income and capital gains have to be reported, including earnings from charitable giving, buy to let, dividends, trusts, foreign income, gig work, online selling profits and crypto gains, as well as notifying liability for the high income child benefit charge if income over £60,000.

It is important to review the supplementary pages to ensure all additional income is reported, such as self-employment, foreign income or gains, and partnership earnings.

Remember that savings interest outside of money sheltered in tax-free ISAs is taxable if it exceeds the various thresholds.

High savings rates in the last few years mean that many people will find themselves exceeding the £500 savings interest tax-free threshold for higher rate taxpayers, and £1,000 for basic rate. Banks and financial institutions share this information with HMRC so it is important to make sure the details are accurate.

The deadline for paying a tax bill, or any Class 2 National Insurance contributions (NICs), is 31 January 2026 regardless of whether the return is submitted digitally or on paper.

It is also important to tell HMRC if you no longer think you need to complete a tax return.

HMRC warns: ‘If you do not need to fill in a return, you must contact us by 31 January 2026 to avoid paying penalties.’

Although HMRC is eager to move everyone to online self assessment, it is still perfectly legal to file a paper return but note that the same penalty regime operates for late filing. In fact, nearly 3% of tax returns were filed on paper in the previous tax year. In total 11.5 million taxpayers filed online because it is much easier and quicker, but for some cohorts it is not realistic to do it this way, and there will always be exemptions for digitally excluded. This still means over 300,000 paper tax returns are still in circulation.

Effectively the £100 penalty can be avoided as long as online tax returns for 2024-25 tax year can be filed until 31 January 2026. Late filing from that date incurs an instant £100 fine, then a daily £10 penalty if the return is more than three months late.

HMRC can automatically recover up to £3,000 for the 2024–25 tax year (excluding Class 2 NICs) from wages or pensions by adjusting the taxpayer’s 2026-27 tax codes, unless they opt out of this. To take advantage of this, ensure a paper tax return is filed by 31 October, or 30 December 2025 online.

With less than 100 days to go to the online self assessment filing deadline at the end of January, HMRC said so far 3.5m taxpayers have filed their tax returns.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s chief customer officer, said: ‘With 100 days to the self assessment deadline, now is the time to get started. Completing your return now means you know you how much tax you need to pay ahead of the deadline. We are here to help with lots of help and advice, just search ‘file a tax return’ on gov.uk to find out more.’

Anyone unsure if they need to fill in a tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year, can use the Self Assessment checker tool on gov.uk where they can also register and notify HMRC if they no longer need to file a return.