Self-Assessment deadline countdown begins

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The deadline for paper tax returns is 31 October 2021

Self-Assessment customers have less than a week left to submit paper tax returns and under 100 days to go for online tax returns.

The Self-Assessment tax return deadlines for 2020/21 tax year are 31 October 2021 for paper returns and 31 January 2022 if you complete your tax return online.

More than 10.7 million people completed a tax return by 31 January 2021, of those 96% submitted it online. Completing it online is the quickest method and with around 100 days to go, there is plenty of time to get it done. Even if you submit your completed tax return now, you do not have to pay any tax owed until 31 January 2022.

The 2020/21 tax return covers earnings and payments during the pandemic. You will need to declare if you received any grants or payments from the Covid-19 support schemes up to 5 April 2021 on your Self-Assessment, as these are taxable, including:

• Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)
• Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)
• Other Covid-19 grants and support payments such as self-isolation payments, local authority grants and those for the Eat Out to Help Out scheme

The £500 one-off payment for working households receiving tax credits should not be reported in Self-Assessment.

Various payment options include:

• Paying through a customers’ tax code (PAYE customers only)
• Payment on Account
• Setting up an online monthly payment plan (self-serve Time to Pay)
• Pay by debit or corporate credit card
• Pay at a bank or building society

Everyone is urged to be alert if they are contacted out of the blue by someone asking for money or personal information. High numbers of fraudsters email, call or text people, claiming to be from HM Revenue and Customs.

If in doubt, HMRC advises not to reply directly to anything suspicious, but to contact the department straight away.

Visit GOV.UK for a full list of payment options and the eligibility criteria. Customers should contact HMRC if they have concerns about paying their bill, and support can be accessed here.