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Tax Deadlines 2026
Sole Traders
Sole traders pay Income Tax and National Insurance in two stages:
- 31 July 2026: Second payment on account of tax for the year 2025/26 is due.
- 31 January 2027: Balance of any tax for the year 2025/26 is due.
- 31 January 2027: First payment on account of tax for the year 2026/27 is due.
Self-Assessment Filing
Your tax returns must be filed by:
- 31 October 2026: Paper returns for the 2025/26 tax year.
- 31 January 2027: Online returns for the 2025/26 tax year.
Limited Companies
- Corporation Tax Payment: Generally due 9 months and 1 day after your accounting period ends.
- Return Filing Deadline: Usually 12 months after your accounting period ends.
VAT
- Quarterly VAT Returns: Due 1 month and 7 days after the end of your VAT period.
- Making Tax Digital (MTD): Ensure your software is fully compliant with the latest 2026 HMRC digital requirements to avoid “failure to file” penalties.
Statutory Rate Increases (Effective April 2026)
The following National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) increases come into force on 1 April 2026. Employers should audit their payroll immediately to ensure compliance:
| Category | Rate from 1 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| 21 or over (NLW) | £12.70/hour |
| 18-20 Rate | £10.40/hour |
| Under 18 Rate | £7.85/hour |
| Apprentice Rate | £7.85/hour |
Note on Employer National Insurance: Following recent budget changes, ensure you have accounted for the adjusted 15% Employer NI rate and the revised £5,000 secondary threshold in your 2026/27 budgeting.
Payroll & Compliance Deadlines
If you have employees, these dates are non-negotiable for the 2026/27 cycle:
- 6 April 2026: Update employee payroll records for the new tax year.
- 19 April 2026: Submit your final Full Payment Summary (FPS) and Employer Payment Summary (EPS) for the year ended 5 April 2026.
- 31 May 2026: Deadline to provide a P60 to all employees.
- 6 July 2026: Reporting of employee expenses and benefits (P11D).
- 22 July 2026: Payment of Class 1A NICs (electronic payment deadline).
Other Important Dates
- Confirmation Statement Filing: Must be filed annually based on your specific incorporation date. Check your Companies House dashboard.
- Annual Accounts Filing: For private limited companies, this is usually 9 months after your financial year ends.
Disclaimer: All information correct at time of writing, March 2026. Swoop does not give financial advice and recommends you confirm all due dates and specific liabilities with an independent financial advisor or accountant.
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