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As a business owner, you’ve got enough on your plate without constantly worrying about missing crucial tax dates. But the reality is that a missed deadline can mean penalties, interest charges, and late nights filling out forms.
The good news is that with a bit of forward planning, you can tick off these dates without causing yourself any unnecessary stress.
Whether you’re a sole trader, landlord, or running a limited company, here’s your roadmap to staying on top of things in 2026.
As you’re reading this, your 2024-25 Self Assessment deadline is racing toward you. If you haven’t filed yet, 31 January is when both your return and payment are due. Miss it, and you’ll face automatic penalties starting at £100, with daily charges kicking in after three months.
The smart move is to sort this now. And, while you’re at it, why not set aside funds for next year’s tax bill in a business savings account? If that money’s going to sit there anyway, you might as well earn some interest on it.
The new tax year (2026-27) begins on 6 April, and it brings with it an important change. From this date, Making Tax Digital (MTD) extends to sole traders and landlords earning over £50,000. This means you’ll need to use MTD-compatible software for your Income Tax Self Assessment. If you’re affected, now’s the time to research your options and get familiar with the new system. Don’t leave it until the last minute!
If you’ve got staff on the payroll, 19 April is when your PAYE and National Insurance contributions submissions are due. Set a reminder well in advance – keeping HMRC happy means avoiding penalties that could easily have been prevented.
By 31 May, you’ll need to issue P60s to all employees who were on your payroll on 5 April. These year-end certificates show total pay and deductions for the tax year, and your team will need them for everything from mortgage applications to their own tax returns.
It’s also important to note that running a limited company comes with its own calendar. Nine months after your company’s year-end, you’ll need to file annual accounts with Companies House. One day later — yes, literally nine months and one day — your Corporation Tax payment is due (though you’ve got 12 months to file the actual return).
These dates shift based on your company’s specific year-end, so mark them clearly in your diary. Late filing means automatic penalties, and they can stack up quickly.
The secret to managing these deadlines? Don’t treat them as last-minute scrambles. Set reminders at least a month before each date, keep your records organised throughout the year, and consider working with an accountant if you’re juggling multiple responsibilities.
Remember, these aren’t just bureaucratic hoops to jump through – staying on top of them means you’re in control of your business finances, avoiding unnecessary costs, and keeping your focus where it belongs: on growing your business.
Alex joined in 2019, bringing his expertise to a range of roles working in both the analytics and commercial teams. Then he stepped across to focus on the product team, where he’s been focusing on scaling up the teams’ SME offering.
