HMRC encourages early start on Self Assessment to reduce stress

HMRC has revealed that more than 26% of people experience anxiety when tax or financial deadlines approach. The research, released ahead of World Mental Health Day, encourages Self Assessment customers to start early to avoid last-minute stress. The deadline for submitting Self Assessment tax returns for the 2025 to 2026 tax year is 31 January 2027. Last year, more than 24,000 customers filed their returns on World Mental Health Day itself. HMRC suggests several stress-reduction tips: - Prepare all records and income details before starting - Start the return, save it, and return to complete it in manageable chunks - Take breaks to make the process more manageable - Plan how to pay any tax owed, such as through monthly instalments Those with Pay As You Earn (PAYE) income can file online before 30 December and have tax collected through their tax code. Customers using Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax still need to submit their Self Assessment by 31 January 2027. Read the full guidance on GOV.UK for help with starting your Self Assessment.