295,000 people rush to beat HMRC deadline and it warns 'don't leave it too late'

295,000 people have rushed to beat a HMRC deadline as it warns "don't leave it too late". Almost 300,000 Self Assessment customers filed their tax return in the first week of the new tax year, almost 10 months ahead of the deadline, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed.

Customers can file their Self Assessment returns for the 2023 to 2024 tax year between 6 April 2024 and 31 January 2025. Almost 70,000 people filed their return on the opening day this year (6 April) and HMRC is encouraging people to do it early and not to leave it until January.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: "Filing your Self Assessment early means people can spend more time growing their business and doing the things they love, rather than worrying about their tax return.

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"You too can join the thousands of customers who have already done their tax return for the 2023-24 tax year by searching ‘Self Assessment’ on GOV.UK and get started today."

People may need to complete a tax return for the 2023 to 2024 tax year and pay any tax owed if they are a self-employed individual with an income over £1,000 or if they have received any untaxed income over £2,500, HMRC has explained.

You may also be included if you are renting out one or more properties or they claim Child Benefit and they or their partner have an income above £50,000 or if they are a partner in a partnership. Other people who need to act are if their taxable income earned from savings and investments is more than the £10,000 personal savings allowance or if their taxable income earned from dividends is more than £10,000.

Other people need to act if they have paid Capital Gains Tax on assets that were sold for a profit above the Capital Gains threshold.