UK tax year and key deadlines
| Deadline | What is due | Who it affects |
|---|---|---|
| 5 April | End of the tax year | Everyone |
| 5 October | Register for Self Assessment if you have not filed before | New self-employed people, landlords and others with untaxed income |
| 31 October | Paper tax return | Anyone filing on paper |
| 31 January | Online tax return, balancing payment and first payment on account | Most Self Assessment taxpayers |
| 31 July | Second payment on account | People whose last bill was large enough to need payments on account |
Do I need to file a Self Assessment return?
You usually need to file if, in the last tax year, any of these applied:
- You were self-employed as a sole trader and earned more than the trading allowance.
- You were a partner in a business partnership.
- You had untaxed income, such as rental income, tips or foreign income.
- You had income over the threshold at which the High Income Child Benefit Charge applies.
Registering gives you a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), which you need on every return. Upload your P60, P11D or bank statements to TaxOrch and ask whether you need to file; it explains why, with the HMRC guidance behind the answer. See document upload.
Tax for UK freelancers and sole traders
Sole traders pay Income Tax on their profit and Class 4 National Insurance above a threshold. Nobody deducts either during the year, so larger bills are collected through two payments on account, in January and July, based on the previous year.
- Keep records of income and allowable expenses for at least five years after the filing deadline.
- Choose between actual expenses and simplified expenses where the rules allow it.
- Put money aside through the year so the January bill is not a surprise.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax starts from 6 April 2026 for sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000, with lower thresholds following in later years. It means digital records and quarterly updates through compatible software. Ask TaxOrch whether it applies to you. More in tax help for freelancers.
Allowances and reliefs to check
Most people have a tax-free Personal Allowance, which is reduced for incomes above £100,000. Other reliefs include the trading and property allowances, pension contributions, Gift Aid and the Marriage Allowance. TaxOrch takes the figures from HMRC for the tax year you ask about. Try the deduction finder.
When do I need to register for VAT?
You must register for VAT when your VAT-taxable turnover goes over the registration threshold (£90,000 since April 2024) in a rolling 12-month period, or you expect it to in the next 30 days. VAT-registered businesses already keep digital records and file returns through Making Tax Digital software. TaxOrch tracks your rolling turnover against the threshold and reminds you before each VAT return.
How TaxOrch helps with UK taxes
- 1Upload your recordsP60s, invoices, bank statements and receipts are read and checked for gaps.
- 2Get an estimateSee your likely Income Tax, National Insurance and payments on account, with the working shown.
- 3Stay on scheduleThe dates for 31 January, 31 July and each VAT or MTD deadline, each with its official source.
TaxOrch does not file your return: you submit it through HMRC online services, compatible software or an accountant. Firms can book a demo, request a demo account or offer TaxOrch under their own brand with a White-label licence.
When to talk to an accountant
- You have received an HMRC enquiry letter or a penalty you want to appeal.
- You are deciding whether to trade as a sole trader or a limited company.
- You have capital gains on property or shares, or income from abroad.
- You need to amend a return from an earlier year.
Frequently asked questions
When is the UK Self Assessment deadline?
- 31 January after the end of the tax year for online returns, which is also when any tax owed is due. Paper returns are due by 31 October.
When does the UK tax year start and end?
- The UK tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April of the following year.
Can TaxOrch file my Self Assessment return with HMRC?
- No. TaxOrch does not file returns. It reads your records, estimates what you owe and prepares a draft marked as not filed. You submit through HMRC online services, compatible software or an accountant.
Does Making Tax Digital for Income Tax apply to me?
- From 6 April 2026 it applies to sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000, and the threshold falls in later years. TaxOrch checks your income against the threshold for the year you ask about.
Sources
Related on TaxOrch
- AI tax software for UK accountantsCited UK answers, engagements and sign-off for firms.
- Tax help for freelancersPayments on account, expenses and several clients.
- Tax deadlinesEvery HMRC due date, with its source.
- Tax calculatorEstimates with the working shown.
- All countriesCountry guides and coverage levels.