04 Feb 2025More than 11.5 million taxpayers beat the self assessment deadline to file their tax return for the 2023/24 tax year by 31 January and avoid a £100 late filing penalty, according to HMRC's data. Almost threequarters of a million taxpayers left it to the last minute to file, with 732,498 submitting returns on deadline day. The most common time to file on 31 January was between 16:00 and 16:59 when 58,517 people submitted returns. 31,442 taxpayers cut it as close as possible by filing between 23:00 and 23:59. Late filing and late payment penalties are charged for failing to meet the deadline. HMRC is urging anyone who has missed the deadline to file their tax return now and pay any tax owed. The tax authority says one of the quickest ways to pay is via the free and secure HMRC app. Time to Pay arrangements are available for those who cannot pay their tax bill in full, it added. Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Director General for Customer Services, said: 'Thank you to the millions of people and agents who filed their self assessment tax return and paid any tax owed by 31 January. I'm urging anyone who missed the deadline to submit their return as soon as possible to avoid any further penalties. Search 'self assessment' on GOV.UK to find out more.'