New tax return filing deadline

Taxpayers will have to file self-assessment returns up to four months earlier than presently required if proposals published with this year's Budget are implemented.

The Carter Review of HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) online services proposed new filing dates after the end of each tax year of 30 September for paper returns and 30 November for returns filed online. The proposed starting date is autumn 2008. At present, returns must be filed by 31 January after the end of the tax year.

The change will make it more difficult for accountants to accommodate clients who leave it until the last moment to provide information needed for their returns. Why not get into practice in advance by getting your tax return information to us now – that’s if you have not already done so?

The government is also considering aligning the dates for filing company tax returns with HMRC and delivering company accounts to Companies House.

A consultation paper proposed that private companies should have to do both these tasks by seven months (or possibly nine months) after the end of each accounting period. There would be no change in the corporation tax payment dates.