Know the rules
Do I need to do anything?
Some people with extra income need a tax return. Many don't. It depends on what the money is and how much. Start here.
Please note: this is general information, not tax advice.
Official guidance from HMRC and GOV.UK always comes first.
Start here
Find out where you stand
- Our 2-minute tax return checkYour own action plan. Free, no sign-up
- Check if you need a tax returnHMRC's free online tool. GOV.UK
- Sheet A: Do I need to tell HMRC?Plain-English yes/no questions. PDF, 2 pages
- Sheet B: Side gigs and selling onlineEtsy, eBay, Vinted, odd jobs, the £1,000 trading allowance
- Sheet C: Money from propertyLodgers, holiday lets, Airbnb, landlords
- Sheet D: Sole traders and small businessesExpenses, payments on account, setting money aside
- Sheet E: Making Tax Digital, VAT and limited companiesFor growing businesses and landlords
- Business guides: Making Tax Digital, VAT, business structureInteractive step-by-step checks with links to the official guidance
Key dates for 2025/26 tax returns
Filing and paying are two different jobs.
You can send your return now and still pay on the normal date. Filing early tells you what you owe while you still have time to plan.
| Date | What's due |
|---|---|
| Now | You can file your 2025/26 return online at any time. Filing early does not mean paying early. |
| 5 October 2026 (passed) | Last day to register if this is your first return. Missed it? Register now. You'll usually avoid a penalty if you file and pay by 31 January. |
| 30 December 2026 | File online by this date if you want any tax owed collected through your PAYE tax code (where you're eligible). |
| 31 January 2027 | Online return for 2025/26. Pay the tax you owe, plus your first payment on account for 2026/27 if one is due. |
| 31 July 2027 | Second payment on account, if one is due. |
A late return means an automatic £100 penalty, even if you owe no tax. Can't pay in full? Contact HMRC early about a payment plan. Check the latest dates on GOV.UK.
What's changing
This January's return matters more than usual.
Making Tax Digital starts for more people in April 2027Sole traders and landlords whose qualifying income (self-employment plus property income, before expenses, not profit) was over £30,000 in 2025/26 must use Making Tax Digital from 6 April 2027. HMRC will use the return you send by 31 January 2027 to decide. Over £50,000 in 2024/25? You're already in. Over £20,000 in 2026/27: from April 2028. Check on GOV.UK, or use our step-by-step MTD guide.
Quarterly updates are not four tax returnsUnder Making Tax Digital you keep digital records and send short updates four times a year, then still finish the year with a final return. Software sends what you put in. It doesn't check your records are complete or right.
Trading allowance rising to £3,000 from April 2027Announced in the 28 October 2026 Budget, subject to legislation. It does not change your 2025/26 or 2026/27 return: the £1,000 limits still apply to those. GOV.UK policy paper.
Help gets harder to find as January gets closerBookkeepers and accountants are busy with existing clients and Making Tax Digital. If you'll want help, ask now. If you already have someone, send them your records now.