Beat HMRC's deadline and avoid a taxing time

UNHAPPY RETURN Don't leave it too late to fill in your paper tax form

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I'VE got my own business. When do I have to get my paper tax return in?

YOUR paper self-assessment tax return must reach HMRC by midnight on October 31. This deadline applies to the 2024-25 tax year, which covers income earned between April 6, 2024, and April 5, 2025.

If your return arrives late, you will face an automatic £100 fine - even if no tax is owed. Penalties increase the longer you delay, with daily fines and interest charges added for persistent lateness.

The earlier deadline for paper returns allows HMRC time to process physical forms before the final online deadline at the end of January.

The paper form you need is called SA100 and can be downloaded from gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns/ deadlines.

You must complete a return if you are self-employed, a partner in a business or receive income that has not already been taxed, such as rent, dividends or freelance earnings.