Ready to stop juggling tax dates?
UK tax year dates 2026–27 determine everything from filing Self Assessment returns to paying PAYE, VAT and Corporation Tax. The right accounting support can help you stay organised so deadlines don’t creep up on you.
This year brings a major shift too. Making Tax Digital for Income Tax starts in April 2026 for many sole traders and landlords, so digital record-keeping becomes more important than ever.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- When the 2026–27 tax year starts and ends
- The key deadlines for individuals, companies and employers
- The PAYE and VAT dates you should mark in your calendar
- What’s changing in April 2026 under Making Tax Digital
Ready to stop juggling your tax dates?
When the 2026–27 tax year starts and ends
The UK tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April the following year. So the 2026–27 tax year starts on 6 April 2026 and ends on 5 April 2027.
This cycle is different from the calendar year and the government’s financial year, which runs from 1 April to 31 March. Your personal tax, payroll and Self Assessment deadlines always follow the tax year dates, even if your company accounts follow a different year end.
Why it matters
These dates shape everything from PAYE deadlines to how you calculate Income Tax. They also determine when you must report earnings as a sole trader, employee or director. If you need a refresher on how tax bands work, our guide to UK tax brackets is a good starting point.
Tax weeks and tax months explained
Tax weeks start every 6 April and run in seven day blocks. Employers use these weeks to calculate weekly National Insurance and to process payroll correctly.
Tax months also start on 6 April and run to the 5th of the next month. They guide your PAYE reporting and payment dates. If you process payroll, you may also find the P32 guide for small business owners helpful for understanding these cycles.
Key UK tax year dates 2026–27 at a glance
It helps to keep the main deadlines in one place. These dates cover Self Assessment, PAYE, VAT and company filings for the 2026–27 tax year.
Self Assessment deadlines
Action | Deadline |
Register for Self Assessment for the 2025–26 tax year | 5 October 2026 |
Submit a paper tax return for 2025–26 | 31 October 2026 |
Submit an online tax return for 2025–26 | 31 January 2027 |
Pay your 2025–26 tax bill (and first payment on account for 2026–27, if due) | 31 January 2027 |
Make your second payment on account for 2026–27 | 31 July 2027 |
If you’re new to HMRC and need help finding your details, our guide on how to find your UTR number makes the process easier.
Limited company deadlines
Requirement | Deadline |
Pay Corporation Tax | 9 months and 1 day after your accounting period ends |
File Company Tax Return (CT600) | 12 months after your accounting period ends |
File annual accounts with Companies House | 9 months after your accounting reference date |
File a confirmation statement | Within 14 days of your review period ending |
If you’re unsure what expenses you can claim as a director, this guide to limited company expenses is worth bookmarking.
PAYE and payroll deadlines
Action | Deadline |
Send FPS (Full Payment Submission) | On or before each payday |
Send EPS (Employer Payment Summary), if needed | By the 19th of the next tax month |
Pay PAYE and NIC (electronic payment) | By the 22nd of the next tax month |
Give P60s to employees | 31 May 2027 |
Submit P11D and P11D(b) forms | 6 July 2027 |
Pay Class 1A NIC | 22 July 2027 |
If you’re unsure how your PAYE reference works, here’s a quick explainer on employers’ PAYE reference numbers.
VAT deadlines
Action | Deadline |
Submit quarterly VAT Return | 1 month and 7 days after the period ends |
Pay your VAT bill | Same as VAT Return deadline |
Annual Accounting Scheme VAT Return | 2 months after the annual period ends |
Self Assessment tax return deadlines in 2026–27
If you’re self-employed, receive rental income, or earn through dividends, you’ll report your 2025–26 income during the 2026–27 tax year. These are the deadlines to keep in mind.
Key dates to remember
Action | Deadline |
Register for Self Assessment for 2025–26 | 5 October 2026 |
File a paper tax return | 31 October 2026 |
File an online tax return | 31 January 2027 |
Pay your 2025–26 bill (and first payment on account for 2026–27) | 31 January 2027 |
Make your second payment on account for 2026–27 | 31 July 2027 |
If you’re filing for the first time, read up on how to file a Self Assessment tax return to minimize mistakes.
Payments on account
HMRC may ask you to make advance payments towards your next tax bill. These are based on your previous year’s liability. You’ll make up any difference when you file your return the following January.
If you expect your income to drop, you can ask HMRC to reduce these payments. It’s a good idea to check your likely earnings ahead of time using our simple guide to calculate your Income Tax obligations.
Understanding what you can claim
Your taxable profit depends on your income minus allowable expenses. Good records make your tax return far easier, and you can check what counts as an allowable cost in our guide to self-assessment expenses.
Limited company tax deadlines in 2026–27
Company deadlines don’t follow the tax year. They follow your accounting period, which begins on the day your company was incorporated unless you’ve changed it. Even so, most companies will hit one or more filing deadlines during the 2026–27 tax year.
Key deadlines for limited companies
Requirement | Deadline |
Pay Corporation Tax | 9 months and 1 day after your accounting period ends |
File Company Tax Return (CT600) | 12 months after your accounting period ends |
File annual accounts with Companies House | 9 months after your accounting reference date |
First-year accounts | Within 21 months of incorporation |
File a confirmation statement | Within 14 days of your review period ending |
If you’re preparing company accounts for the first time, understanding your company number can help you stay on top of filings. You’ll find this explained clearly in our guide to understanding your company number.
Corporation Tax and what you owe
The amount of Corporation Tax you pay depends on your taxable profits, which include trading income and certain chargeable gains. If you’re unsure how the current rates apply to your business, our guide to the Corporation Tax rate breaks down what you need to know.
If your company has stopped trading or is going dormant, the deadlines can shift. You can check how HMRC treats trading and non-trading periods in our guide on trading vs non-trading for Corporation Tax.
Avoiding penalties
Missing a Companies House deadline can lead to late filing penalties, and these increase the longer the accounts remain overdue.
PAYE and payroll deadlines in 2026–27
If you employ staff, including yourself as a director, PAYE reporting follows a monthly cycle. Missing these dates can trigger penalties, so it’s worth adding them to your calendar early.
Regular PAYE deadlines
Action | Deadline |
Send FPS (Full Payment Submission) | On or before each payday |
Send EPS (Employer Payment Summary), if needed | By the 19th of the next tax month |
Pay PAYE and NIC (electronic payment) | By the 22nd of the next tax month |
Pay PAYE and NIC (cheque payment) | By the 19th of the next tax month |
If you’re new to running payroll, this overview of PAYE tax for employees helps explain how deductions work and what HMRC expects each month.
End-of-year PAYE deadlines for 2026–27
These deadlines apply after the tax year closes on 5 April 2027:
Action | Deadline |
Give P60s to employees | 31 May 2027 |
Submit P11D and P11D(b) for benefits and expenses | 6 July 2027 |
Pay Class 1A NIC | 22 July 2027 (electronic) |
If you provide benefits such as company cars or medical insurance, the process can feel complex at first. Our guide on how to submit a P11D breaks it into clear steps.
Staying compliant with payroll rules
Your PAYE reference number is the key identifier HMRC uses to track your submissions, payments and allowances. If you’ve recently set up payroll and want to double-check the details, this guide to employers’ NI contributions explains how National Insurance fits into the wider picture.
Run payroll on the same date each month. It makes PAYE reporting predictable and reduces the risk of missing FPS or EPS deadlines.
VAT registration and VAT return deadlines in 2026–27
VAT runs on its own cycle, separate from your company accounts or Self Assessment deadlines. Most businesses submit VAT Returns every quarter, but the timing depends on your VAT period.
When to register for VAT
You must register for VAT if your VAT-taxable turnover goes above the threshold within any rolling 12-month period. You also need to register if you expect to pass the threshold in the next 30 days.
If you want to understand how VAT affects pricing and margins, our guide on VAT rate optimisation explains the impact on profitability.
VAT return deadlines
Action | Deadline |
Submit quarterly VAT Return | 1 month and 7 days after the VAT period ends |
Pay your VAT bill | Same as VAT Return deadline |
Submit an Annual Accounting Scheme VAT Return | 2 months after the annual period ends |
If you’re working out the VAT due in your return, this step-by-step VAT calculation guide walks you through adding and removing VAT accurately.
If you leave the VAT regime
Your deadlines change if you cancel your VAT registration. You’ll still need to file a final return and declare any VAT due on stock and assets. If you’re planning to deregister, this guide to VAT deregistration explains each step.
Late payment penalties
VAT penalties now build up more quickly if your payment is late. You’ll find a clear breakdown of charges and interest in our guide on VAT late payment penalties.
Key changes in the 2026–27 tax year (including Making Tax Digital)
Every April brings updates to tax rates and reporting rules. The 2026–27 tax year is a bigger one than usual because it marks the first phase of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD ITSA)
From 6 April 2026, many sole traders and landlords earning above the qualifying threshold must keep digital records and send quarterly updates to HMRC. This replaces the once-a-year approach of Self Assessment and means your bookkeeping needs to be accurate and up to date throughout the year.
If you’re unsure what this shift involves, our guide on Making Tax Digital for ITSA explains the requirements in simple terms.
Other expected changes
A few updates typically come into effect at the start of the tax year, including:
- Adjustments to National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates
- Updated statutory payments, such as maternity, paternity and sick pay
- Annual movements to tax thresholds where applicable
These rates are confirmed closer to April, so it’s worth checking the latest government announcements if you manage payroll or budget for staff costs.
Why this matters
If you’re affected by MTD or running payroll, it’s a good time to make sure your systems and records are organised before the new cycle starts. It makes the year ahead smoother and reduces the last-minute pressure that often crops up at tax deadlines.
How to get ready before the end of the 2025–26 tax year
A quick check-in before 5 April can make the new tax year much smoother. Here are a few simple things to review:
- Check your income and make sure you’re using the allowances that apply to you.
- Update your records so expenses and receipts are accurate and easy to access. If you’re unsure what you can claim, this sole trader expenses guide is a helpful reference.
- Set aside money for your upcoming tax bill, especially if payments on account apply.
- Review your bookkeeping setup, as many sole traders and landlords will need digital records from April 2026 under Making Tax Digital.
Sleek and UK tax year dates 2026–27
Once you understand your key UK tax year dates 2026–27, staying compliant becomes much more manageable. The right systems, clear reminders and tidy records can take most of the pressure out of Self Assessment, PAYE, VAT and company filings.
If you’re unsure which deadlines apply to you, or you’re weighing up the best way to structure your business, this guide on sole trader vs limited company can help you think through your options.
Ready to feel more in control of your tax deadlines?
FAQs on the UK tax year dates
What date does the UK tax year start and end?
The UK tax year always starts on 6 April and ends on 5 April the following year. For 2026–27, it runs from 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027.
Why is the UK tax year on those dates?
The dates come from historic calendar changes introduced in the 18th century. When Britain moved from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, the tax year shifted to preserve revenue, and the 6 April start has remained ever since.
When do you start paying tax in the UK?
Most people start paying Income Tax once their earnings pass the Personal Allowance for the year. Employees pay through PAYE, while self-employed people pay through Self Assessment based on their taxable profits.
When do I have to pay my Self Assessment tax bill?
Your main payment deadline is 31 January after the tax year ends. If payments on account apply, you’ll also make a second instalment on 31 July.
What are the Corporation Tax payment dates?
Most companies must pay Corporation Tax 9 months and 1 day after the end of their accounting period. You’ll find the exact date in your HMRC online account.
When do VAT Returns and payments fall due?
Quarterly VAT Returns are normally due one month and seven days after the VAT period ends. Some businesses use the Annual Accounting Scheme, which follows a different timetable.
Where can I check the latest tax bands?
HMRC updates tax thresholds each year, and the figures affect how much Income Tax you pay. If you want a quick refresher, our guide to UK tax brackets explains how the bands work.
Disclaimer: The preceding information is not legal advice. This content is aimed to provide general guidance. For more formal or legal advice, contact Sleek directly.
