Still to do your tax return?

As we welcome 2025, there are still 5.4m taxpayers who have yet to file their 2023/24 self assessment returns, compared to 5.7m who were yet to file at the start of 2024.

This year, 300,000 more people have ticked this task off their to-do list before entering the New Year, with many opting to submit their return during the Christmas break.

However, the clock is ticking for those who still need to file, as the 31 January deadline approaches. Despite the festive filers, millions remain at risk of leaving it until the last minute.

Getting ahead during Christmas 

More taxpayers wanted to get their self assessment done and dusted before heading into 2025, with many using the week during Christmas to get organised.

HMRC has reported that 40,072 tax returns were filed over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day – 14,303 more than the same period last year.

This increase can be down to Christmas Eve falling on a weekday. With many choosing work over last-minute shopping, 23,731 tax returns were filed on 24 December, compared to just 8,876 filed the previous year. More people were therefore able to enjoy the festivities without tax looming over their Christmas dinners.

On Christmas Day itself, 4,409 returns were submitted followed by 11,932 filed on Boxing Day.

A strong finish to the year 

Taxpayers clearly felt more organised this year, with New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day seeing more returns filed than the year before.

HMRC revealed that 38,000 had squeezed theirs in before the bells rang on 31 December, which was 12,407 more returns filed than last year. A total of 310 submitted their return in the nick of time, filing between 23:00 and 23:59.