Four million customers are yet to submit their completed Self Assessment tax return and pay any tax owed ahead of the deadline on 31 January, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has warned.
More than 12.2 million customers are expected to complete a tax return for the 2020/21 tax year.
HMRC is urging the millions of customers still to file their tax return, pay any outstanding liabilities or set up a payment plan, to do so ahead of the deadline as interest will be applied to all outstanding balances from 1 February.
However, earlier this month, HMRC announced they would waive penalties for one month for late filing of tax returns and late payments. The changes mean:
- anyone who cannot file their return by the 31 January deadline will not receive a late filing penalty if they file by 28 February
- anyone who cannot pay their tax liabilities by the 31 January deadline will not receive a late payment penalty if they pay their tax in full, or set up a time to pay arrangement, by 1 April
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:
“We know some customers may struggle to meet the Self Assessment deadline on 31 January which is why we have waived penalties for one month, giving them extra time to meet their obligations.
“And if anyone is worried about paying their tax bill, they can set up a monthly payment plan online – search ‘pay my Self Assessment’ on GOV.UK.”

Police Appeal After Man Reports Rape in Slough
Keighley Drug Dealer Ordered to Pay Back £170,000
New Bike and Street Trading Rules Coming to Leeds City Centre
Bradford Homes, Hospital and Schools to Benefit from £9.7m Heat Network Expansion
Former Leeds Accountant Jailed for Five More Years Over Unpaid £490,000 Confiscation Order
Manningham Housing Association Achieves LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge Pioneer Status
Police Warn Over New Trend Offering Cash to Accept Parcels
Tributes Paid to Former Buckinghamshire High Sheriff Peter Kara
Calderdale House Builder Fined £300,000 After Worker Suffers Serious Spinal Injuries
Bradford Youth Orchestra Hits the Right Notes on German Tour
Alim OnAir
Remix Saturdays
The Golden Era
Bhangra Nights