Self Assessment Tax Deadline - 31st January

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Self Assessment Tax Deadline - 31st January

By Stacey McVeighty | Friday, 8th January 2016

Self Assessment tax bills are due to be paid on the 31st January. These payments are either the balancing payment of tax for the tax year 2014/15, a payment on account towards your 2015/16 tax bill, or possibly both.

It should be noted that the 31st January in 2016 is on a Sunday, and therefore payment should be made on or before Friday 29th January.

31st January in 2016 is on a Sunday, and therefore payment should be made on or before Friday 29th January.

There are a few ways to pay your tax bill:

  • Debit card
  • Online bank payment
  • Credit card (service charge applies)
  • Post Office counter
  • Cheque

For more detail about these methods, visit the HMRC website.

It is crucial that when you pay your tax, you include your reference. This is your unique tax reference (UTR) with a K at the end. Your UTR is the 10 digit reference on the front of your tax return.

It is crucial that when you pay your tax, you include your reference. This is your unique tax reference (UTR) with a K at the end. Your UTR is the 10 digit reference on the front of your tax return.

Important information if you can't pay some, or all, of your tax bill on time:

HMRC are very clear that you should call them before the tax is due, but after you have submitted the tax return (so they know how much tax is due).

If you genuinely cannot afford the payment, then they should arrange a payment plan with you. It is important that you stick to this payment plan, as it could affect the chances of you getting the option in future. Visit the HMRC website for more information about difficulties paying your tax bill.

It is very important that you either pay your tax bill or arrange a payment plan before the 28th February. This is because surcharges kick in 28 days after the 31st January deadline. The surcharge is 5% of the outstanding tax and it is non-refundable even after the tax has been paid. There is another surcharge after 6 months, on top of the earlier surcharge.