Self Assessment deadline for online tax returns
On this page:
- 31 January deadline
- Sending your tax return online
- Hints and tips for using Self Assessment Online
- Paying your tax
- Exceptions - where you can't file online
- Tax return or ‘Notice to File’ received after 31 October
31 January deadline
If you haven't sent in your tax return yet, you've missed the deadline for sending it in on paper and you must now send it online.
You must send your online tax return by midnight on Sunday 31 January 2010. The deadline is only later than this if it was after 31 October when HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) asked you to complete a return - see the section 'Tax return or ‘Notice to file’ received after 31 October'.
There are a very small number of cases where HMRC will still allow you to send your tax return on paper - see the section 'Exceptions - where you can't file online' below.
Sending your tax return online
You send - or 'file' - your tax return online using the HMRC Self Assessment Online service.
If you’re new to online filing
If you haven't filed a Self Assessment tax return online before you must first register to use HMRC online services.
You'll need to do this by 21 January 2010 to allow HMRC time to send an activation code to you so you can start using the service.
Register to file your tax return online
Find out more about filing online
If you’ve filed online before
If you've used the Self Assessment service before, use the log in link below.
Log in to use Self Assessment Online
If you’ve lost your User ID or Password
You can find your User ID on the card and letter sent to you by HMRC when you first registered to use an HMRC online service.
If you can't find your ID or your password, go to the online services login page (see the link below), and follow the 'lost user id' or 'lost password' link under the heading 'existing users'.
For security purposes you'll need to answer a number of questions before a replacement User ID or password is issued. The Government Gateway will send a replacement User ID or password either online (if you have a Government Account email address) or by first class post to the address HMRC holds on its records.
If you've lost both your User ID and password please call the Online Services Helpdesk.
Contact the Online Services Helpdesk
Hints and tips for using Self Assessment Online
Check for any service issues
Use the link below to find out when the service will be down for scheduled maintenance or if there any issues with filing this year's Self Assessment tax return. HMRC online services are available 24 hours a day 365 days a year, except for scheduled maintenance.
Find out about service availability and service issues
Getting help using Self Assessment Online
There are lots of resources available to help you use the HMRC Self Assessment Online service, including a step-by-step guide, help buttons built into the free HMRC software, resources for the visually disabled and telephone helplines.
Get more help with using Self Assessment Online
Paying your tax
You must pay any amount due for 2008-09 by 31 January 2010. This payment deadline is the same whether you've filed on paper or file online.
You can now pay your tax by Direct Debit if you've registered for Self Assessment Online. Direct Debit allows you to set up a payment as soon as you've worked out how much you owe - so you never need to be late with your payment.
If you're up to date with your payments, you can also manage your finances by setting up a Budget Payment Plan - this lets you make regular payments towards tax that's due in the future.
Learn more about paying your Self Assessment tax
Exceptions - where you can't file online
There are a very small number of cases where HMRC will still allow you to send in a paper tax return after 31 October instead of filing online, for example:
- if there's no software available to file your tax return online, eg Non-Resident Companies
- if you've been told by HMRC that you can't file online (you'll be aware of this already)
Where HMRC has allowed you to send in a late paper tax return please make sure you send it back on time. The deadline is 31 January (unless the section 'Tax returns or ‘Notice to file’ received after 31 October' below applies).
More guidance on tax return deadlines and penalties
Tax returns or ‘Notice to File’ received after 31 October
If you received your tax return (or the letter, called a 'Notice to File', telling you to complete a tax return) after 31 October, you don't have to send your tax return back by 31 January. You usually have three months from the date you received it to send your tax return back - you can send it on paper or online.
