HMRC phone lines closed on self assessment deadline day

HMRC phone lines will close at 6pm on Friday 30 January, as per normal working hours, with no accommodation for the Saturday filing deadline.

The self assessment deadline is Saturday 31 January so it is essential to take action as soon as possible. There will be no HMRC phone helplines on deadline day so it is absolutely vital to resolve any complex questions before close of play on Friday.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging taxpayers and agents who haven’t filed, to act now or risk missing the 31 January deadline – and face an automatic £100 penalty.

More than 11.5 million customers successfully filed by the deadline last year and HMRC wants to help the 3.3 million still outstanding this time around to do the same.

Those who haven't started can find help and support at GOV.UK, including guidance, webinars and YouTube videos. HMRC's online services are available around the clock.

Once a return is submitted, the quickest and easiest way to pay any tax owed is via the free HMRC app, which takes less than a minute. A full list of payment options is available on GOV.UK.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Chief Customer Officer, said:

"Don't leave it until deadline day. Filing now will give you peace of mind that your tax return is completed and if you have tax to pay, you have a week to arrange payment.

“If you're worried about paying your tax bill, you may be able to set up a payment plan online – search 'difficulties paying HMRC' on GOV.UK."

This year's deadline falls on a Saturday. Customers who need to speak to an adviser can call HMRC's phone lines, which are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Phone lines close on Friday 30 January and reopen on Monday 2 February – after the deadline. For full phone support, contact HMRC before Friday 30 January. On Saturday 31 January, HMRC will offer webchat support through its Online Services Helpdesk.

The penalties for late tax returns are:

• an initial £100 fixed penalty, which applies even if there is no tax to pay, or if the tax due is paid on time
• after 3 months, additional daily penalties of £10 per day, up to a maximum of £900
• after 6 months, a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater
• after 12 months, another 5% or £300 charge, whichever is greater

There are also additional penalties for paying late. Penalties will be charged at 5% of the tax unpaid at 30 days, 6 months and 12 months. If tax remains unpaid after the deadline, interest will also be charged on the amount owed, in addition to the penalties above.

HMRC will consider customers' reasons for missing the deadline. Those with a reasonable excuse may avoid a penalty.

Sole traders and landlords with qualifying income of more than £50,000 will be required to use Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax from 6 April 2026 and be required to submit quarterly summaries of their income and expenses to HMRC. HMRC is urging eligible customers to act now - whether you’re signing up a client or yourself, get ahead of the curve by taking the first step and sign-up on GOV.UK to familiarise yourself with the new service and start preparing now.

Customers do not need to include their 2025 Winter Fuel Payment, or Pension Age Winter Heating payment in Scotland, on their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year as payments received in Autumn 2025 will be recovered in the 2025 to 2026 tax return, due by 31 January 2027.

HMRC Press Release 23 Jan 2026

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