Thousands… file their Self Assessment tax return over festive break as HMRC reminds others to start now.
- 4,409 Self Assessment’s completed on Christmas Day
- 40,072 filed their tax return over the Christmas break
- Self Assessment filers encouraged to prepare and file their tax return ahead of January deadline
More than 4,400 Self Assessment filers avoided peeling the sprouts to file their tax return online on Christmas Day, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have revealed.
In total, 40,072 tax filers, as well as spending the 3-day holiday indulging in usual Christmas pastimes of eating, drinking and watching festive favourites on the TV, found time to go online and wrap up their 2023 to 2024 tax return, well ahead of the 31st January 2024 deadline.
Festive filing statistics show that over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day:
- 15:00 to 15:59 proved to be the most popular time to file on the big day itself, with 368 filing their return
- 11,932 missed out on leftovers for lunch, submitting their tax return on Boxing Day, with the most popular time being 16:00 to 16:59 and 1,108 filing during that time.
- 23,731 filed on Christmas Eve instead of last-minute shopping and wrapping. The most popular time was 11:00 to 11:59 when 3,458 filed their tax return
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services:
People who need to file a Self Assessment return and already have can enjoy the rest of the festive period knowing they’ve got it wrapped up for another year, and can enjoy singing Auld Lang Syne knowing their tax affairs are in order. For those who haven’t started yet, our online service is available 365 days a year so there’s still a chance to get it done before 2024 is out! Go to GOV.UK and search ‘Self Assessment’ to access the online help and start today.
Those who have already submitted their tax return online have until the 31st January 2025 to pay the tax they owe. Those who file before 30th December may have the option of paying any tax owed through their PAYE tax code.
The HMRC say that quickest and easiest way to pay a Self Assessment tax bill is via the HMRC app. For a full list of ways to pay.
For anyone who is yet to start their Self Assessment, HMRC provide plenty of information and guidance online, including YouTube videos, to help people complete their return.
Anyone who regularly sells goods or provides a service through an online platform can also find out more about selling online and paying taxes. The information can help them decide if their activity should be treated as a trade and if they need to complete a Self Assessment tax return.
You may need to file a return if you:
- are newly self-employed and have earned gross income over £1,000
- earned below £1,000 and wish to pay Class 2 National Insurance Contributions voluntarily to protect their entitlement to State Pension and certain benefits
- are a new partner in a business partnership
- have received any untaxed income over £2,500
- receive Child Benefit payments and need to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge because they or their partner earned more than £50,000
Criminals use emails, phone calls and texts to try to steal information and money from taxpayers. Taxpayers can find more information on how to identify a scam and access a checklist to help them decide if the contact they have received is a scam.
Want to know more about Self Assessment
More information on Self Assessment
More than 97% of Self Assessment returns are filed online.
HMRC has lots of information and support available online which includes:
- HMRC’s digital assistant – the assistant helps find information, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for you can ask to speak to an adviser. You can also access the digital assistant via the HMRC app.
- guidance notes and help sheets and YouTube videos provide a wealth of information if you’re stuck or confused.
- live webinars where you can ask questions or if you can’t join, you can watch recorded webinars on demand.
- technical support for HMRC online services for help signing into online services.
- email updates – sign up to HMRC email updates so you don’t miss out on the latest information on Self Assessment.
- social media updates – follow HMRC X (formerly Twitter) @HMRCcustomers to get the latest updates on Self Assessment services and useful reminders.
- if you need extra support to help with Self Assessment you can contact a voluntary or community sector organisation who can provide you with help and advice, or you can get support directly from HMRC.
People can use the HMRC app to find out how to register for Self Assessment, check their Unique Taxpayer Reference, get their National Insurance number and employment income and history and pay their tax bill.
PAYadvice.UK 30/12/2025