Tax deadlines can make new freelancers nervous because they feel easy to miss and expensive to fix. This guide gives a calm overview of the main UK sole trader Self Assessment dates, with a reminder to check GOV.UK for your own year and situation.
The UK tax year usually runs from 6 April to 5 April. Self Assessment deadlines happen after the tax year ends, which is why the dates can feel confusing at first.
The main Self Assessment dates
GOV.UK says the online Self Assessment tax return deadline is normally 31 January after the end of the tax year. Paper tax returns usually have an earlier deadline of 31 October. The tax you owe through Self Assessment is also normally due by 31 January.
There may also be a 31 July deadline if you need to make payments on account. Payments on account are advance payments towards your next tax bill. Not every freelancer has to make them, and HMRC calculations depend on your position, so do not assume without checking.
Registering as self-employed
If you need to register for Self Assessment as a sole trader, the usual deadline is 5 October after the end of the tax year when you started. For example, if you started freelancing during a tax year that ends on 5 April, the following 5 October can be important.
Do not wait until the last day if you can avoid it. Registration can take time, and you may need details such as your National Insurance number, personal information and business start date.
A simple deadline example
Imagine you started freelancing in June 2026. That falls in the 2026 to 2027 tax year, which ends on 5 April 2027. You may need to register by 5 October 2027, file your online tax return by 31 January 2028 and pay the tax due by 31 January 2028. If payments on account apply, 31 July 2028 may also matter.
This is only a simple example. Your real deadlines can depend on when you started, whether HMRC has issued a notice to file, whether you file online or on paper, and whether payments on account apply.
Making Tax Digital changes the rhythm
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is being phased in for some sole traders and landlords. If your qualifying income is above the phased thresholds, you may need compatible software and more regular updates. That does not mean every freelancer starts immediately, but it does mean deadline planning will become more regular for people in scope.
Read the Making Tax Digital hub and MTD checklist if your qualifying income may be over £50,000, £30,000 or £20,000 in the relevant years.
How to avoid deadline panic
Create a tax calendar with reminders several weeks before each date. Keep income and expenses updated monthly. Save invoices and receipts as you go. If you wait until January to rebuild the whole year, the deadline will feel much bigger than it needs to.
If you think you cannot pay on time, contact HMRC as early as possible or speak to a qualified adviser. Ignoring the deadline usually makes things worse.
FAQs
What is the online Self Assessment deadline?
It is normally 31 January after the end of the tax year, but always check GOV.UK for the exact year and your situation.
What is the 31 July date?
It can be the second payment on account deadline if payments on account apply to you.
Do MTD dates replace Self Assessment dates?
MTD changes reporting for people in scope, but you should check HMRC guidance for the current process and deadlines that apply to you.
Build your own tax calendar
A useful beginner habit is to create a simple calendar for the tax year. Add 5 October for registration if you are newly self-employed, 31 October if paper filing could ever apply, 31 January for online filing and payment, and 31 July for a possible second payment on account. Then add reminder dates one month earlier and one week earlier.
The reminder dates are often more important than the deadline itself. By the deadline, you want to be checking and submitting, not starting from a pile of receipts. A monthly admin habit makes those reminders much less stressful.
What can change your deadlines
Your exact position can change if HMRC asks you to file, if you amend a return, if you are affected by Making Tax Digital, if you have a payment plan, or if a deadline falls differently in a particular year. Always check GOV.UK or your HMRC account rather than relying only on a saved note from a previous year.
What to keep ready
Before January, gather invoices, bank statements, expense receipts, details of other income, pension contributions, student loan information if relevant and your Government Gateway access. If you use software, check your login and reports early.
Related freelancer basics
- What Expenses Can UK Freelancers Claim?
- Freelancer Invoice Template UK: What to Include
- How Much Tax Should Freelancers Put Aside?
- Do Freelancers Need a Business Bank Account?
- Record Keeping for UK Freelancers
- Self Assessment for Freelancers: Beginner Guide
- Freelancer Tax Checklist UK
Useful next guides
- Making Tax Digital hub
- Making Tax Digital checklist
- Best Accounting Software for UK Freelancers
- Sole Trader Expenses Guide
- Invoice Template for Freelancers
- Business Banking for Freelancers
- Tax Basics for UK Freelancers
Disclaimer: Freelance Wallet UK provides general information only. It is not financial, tax, legal or accounting advice. Tax rules can change, and your own position may be different. Always check official GOV.UK/HMRC guidance or speak to a qualified professional for your own situation.