Envelope showing HMRC logo on top of a form to complete a self-assessment tax return

Don’t miss the Self Assessment deadline

HMRC is reminding anyone who’s newly self-employed to register for Self Assessment by the 5 October 2025 deadline.

With around 60% of the UK’s 5.8 million self-employed workers juggling multiple income streams, it’s vital to check if you need to submit a tax return. Anyone earning untaxed income (whether from self-employment, property, dividends, or even side work) may need to tell HMRC and pay Income Tax through Self Assessment.

If you are completing a Self Assessment tax return for the first time to cover the 2024 to 2025 tax year, and have not previously received notice to file, you will need to tell HMRC by the deadline of 5 October 2025. You can do this by registering for Self-Assessment.  Guidance and support is available on GOV.UK.

You may need to do Self Assessment, even if you pay tax through PAYE, if you:

  • are newly self-employed or a sole trader and have earned gross income over £1,000
  • are self-employed and earn below £1,000 and wish to pay Class 2 National Insurance Contributions voluntarily to protect your entitlement to State Pension and certain benefits
  • are a new partner in a business partnership
  • received any untaxed income including pension income over £2,500
  • received income over £1,000 from trading or providing services online
  • have any gains or income that you received for cryptoassets
  • are claiming Child Benefit and you or your partner had an income above £60,000 for the 2024-25 tax year
  • received interest from banks and building societies or investments (more than £10,000)
  • received income from property that you own and rent out
  • received dividends payments (more than £10,000)
  • need to pay non-property related Capital Gains Tax
  • Claim tax relief for your job expenses if more than £2,500

This free online tool helps you to check whether you need to submit a Self Assessment tax return: https://www.gov.uk/check-if-you-need-tax-return.

The final filing deadline for the return is 31 January 2026, but HMRC encourages early submission to avoid stress and penalties.

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