07 Jan 2025With less than a month to go, 5.4 million taxpayers still need to complete their self assessment tax return to avoid penalties, HMRC has warned. Anyone required to file a tax return for the 2023/24 tax year who misses the 31 January 2025 deadline could face an initial late filing penalty of £100. Thousands of taxpayers have already done so by completing their tax returns before the fizz was barely flat on New Year's Day. HMRC revealed that more than 24,800 people filed on 1 January. A further 38,000 had even squeezed theirs in before the bells on 31 December 2024, with 310 filing between 23:00 and 23:59 on New Year's Eve. Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Director General for Customer Services, said: 'We know completing your tax return isn't the most exciting item on your New Year to-do list, but it's important to file and pay on time to avoid penalties or being charged interest. 'The quickest and easiest way to complete your tax return and pay any tax owed is to use HMRC's online services – go to GOV.UK and search 'self assessment' to get started now.'