Self Assessment | Benefits of filing your 2022-23 tax return early

There are many benefits to filing your tax return well before the 31 January 2024 deadline.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has outlined four key benefits for people filing their tax returns early. The Self Assessment deadline for the 2022-23 tax year is midnight on Wednesday 31 January 2024. Customers who file early will have more control over their financial affairs and beat the January rush.

Benefits of filing early

The four benefits of filing early are:

Planning

Find out what you owe for the 2022-23 tax year as soon as you have filed, which allows for more accurate financial planning.

Budgeting

Spread the cost of your tax bill with weekly or monthly payments using HMRC's Budget Payment Plan.

Refund

Check if you're due a refund in the HMRC app once you've filed.

Help

You can access a range of online guidance and information to help you file your return and get help if you are unable to pay your bill in full by the 31 January deadline. You may be able to set up a Time to Pay plan.

Further help and support for Self Assessment

There is lots of help and support available online from HMRC:

• customers can access the new online tool to check whether they need to do a Self Assessment tax return.
• HMRC’s top tips for filing tax returns early.
• ask HMRC’s digital assistant to find information about Self Assessment. If they cannot help, chat live with an HMRC webchat adviser.
• access webinars and videos about Self Assessment

Customers need to be aware of the risk of falling victim to phishing scams and should never share their HMRC login details with anyone, including a tax agent, if they have one. HMRC scams advice.

First published 3 August 2023