Realising you’ve missed a tax return can be worrying, but you’re certainly not alone.
Whether you’ve recently discovered you should have registered for Self Assessment, forgotten to submit a return, or have outstanding tax returns from previous years, taking action sooner rather than later can help reduce penalties and get your tax affairs back on track.
In fact, around 1.1 million taxpayers missed the Self Assessment deadline in a recent tax year, resulting in many receiving an initial late filing penalty. If you’re in that position, the important thing is to act now rather than continue putting it off.
Who might need to file a previous year’s tax return?
There are many reasons why someone may discover they should have submitted a tax return for an earlier tax year.
You may need to catch up if you:
- Started working for yourself but never registered for Self Assessment.
- Earned money from a side hustle, freelance work or online selling.
- Began letting out a property.
- Received untaxed income.
- Had income that meant you were required to complete a Self Assessment tax return.
- Received Child Benefit while your income exceeded the High Income Child Benefit Charge threshold.
- Received foreign income that needed reporting.
- Were asked by HMRC to complete a tax return but never submitted it.
Sometimes people only realise they had a filing obligation years later. If that sounds familiar, don’t ignore it. The sooner you deal with outstanding tax returns, the easier it is to resolve.
Can I still file a previous year’s tax return?
In many cases, yes.
If you’ve missed one or more Self Assessment tax returns, it’s often still possible to bring your tax affairs up to date. The process depends on how old the return is and your individual circumstances, so it’s worth acting as soon as you realise there’s an issue rather than leaving it any longer.
If you’re unsure whether you need to file, or which tax years are outstanding, checking now can help prevent further penalties from building up.
What happens if you don’t file?
Leaving outstanding tax returns unresolved can become more expensive over time.
HMRC may charge penalties for filing your tax return late, as well as interest and additional penalties if any tax remains unpaid.
Late filing penalties
If your Self Assessment tax return is late, HMRC can charge:
| Time after the deadline | Penalty |
| 1 day late | £100 fixed penalty |
| More than 3 months late | £10 per day (up to 90 days, maximum £900) |
| More than 6 months late | The higher of £300 or 5% of the tax due |
| More than 12 months late | Another penalty of the higher of £300 or 5% of the tax due |
One important point to remember is that the initial £100 penalty applies even if you don’t owe any tax.
If tax is owed, HMRC may also charge late payment interest and additional late payment penalties until the balance is settled.
Worried about a large tax bill?
One of the biggest reasons people delay submitting outstanding tax returns is the fear of receiving a bill they can’t afford.
However, many people find the amount they owe is less than expected once allowable business expenses, tax reliefs and deductions have been taken into account.
Completing your tax return is the only way to know exactly where you stand.
What if I can’t afford to pay?
Even if you can’t pay your tax bill immediately, it’s still important to submit your tax return.
Filing and paying are treated separately by HMRC. Submitting your return on time (or as soon as possible if it’s already late) can help prevent additional late filing penalties from being added.
If you can’t pay the full amount, HMRC may allow you to spread the cost through a Time to Pay arrangement. For many Self Assessment tax bills of up to £30,000, eligible taxpayers can apply online after filing their return. If you need longer to repay or owe more than this, you may still be able to agree a payment plan directly with HMRC.
Getting caught up is easier than you think
Preparing older tax returns doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Start by gathering together any information you have, including:
- Income records.
- Business expenses.
- Bank statements.
- P60s or P45s.
- Rental income information.
- Other financial records for the relevant tax years.
If you’re missing some documents, you may still be able to obtain copies from your bank, employer or HMRC.
The important thing is not to delay simply because you don’t have everything to hand immediately.
Why it’s worth acting now
Putting off outstanding tax returns rarely makes the situation any easier.
Getting up to date can help you:
- Stop further penalties from building up.
- Reduce the amount of interest payable.
- Understand exactly how much tax you owe.
- Agree a payment arrangement if needed.
- Avoid unnecessary contact or compliance action from HMRC.
- Move forward with confidence knowing your tax affairs are in order.
Did you know?
- Around 1.1 million taxpayers missed the Self Assessment filing deadline in a recent year.
- More than 730,000 tax returns were submitted on deadline day alone, showing just how many people leave filing until the last minute.
- HMRC also offers eligible taxpayers the opportunity to spread the cost of their tax bill through a Time to Pay arrangement.
If you’ve missed a deadline, you’re far from alone but taking action now is always better than waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still file a tax return after the deadline?
Yes. Missing the deadline doesn’t prevent you from submitting your tax return. In fact, filing as soon as possible is usually the best course of action, as it can help prevent additional penalties from being added.
What if I didn’t know I needed to file?
Many people only realise they should have completed a tax return after starting self-employment, earning rental income or receiving other untaxed income. If you think you should have filed for previous years, it’s best to deal with it as soon as possible.
Will I receive a penalty even if I don’t owe any tax?
Potentially, yes. HMRC’s initial £100 late filing penalty applies because the return was submitted late, even if no tax is due or you’re actually owed a refund.
What if I can’t afford to pay my tax bill?
You should still submit your tax return. Depending on your circumstances, HMRC may allow you to spread payments through a Time to Pay arrangement.
Can I complete a previous year’s tax return online?
In many cases, yes. However, the process depends on which tax year you need to file and your individual circumstances. If you’re unsure, it’s worth checking as soon as possible so you can understand the options available.