HMRC is launching an online poll asking people to pick how they choose to file. Are they an early bird – filing within a few days of the new tax year, a dipper – someone who dips in and out throughout the year – or, a last minute panicker – rushing to submit their form in the last hours of 31 January? The poll will run on HMRC’s X, LinkedIn and Facebook channels for 7 days.

Last year 735,316 Self Assessment customers in Scotland filed before the 31 January deadline. In total more than 11.5 million taxpayers filed their 2023 to 2024 tax return on time.

Millions of people have already filed their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year, with 58,000 early birds returning theirs on 6 April 2025 – the first day they could. Customers can complete their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year on GOV.UK.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “For customers yet to file, there’s still time to start and submit an accurate tax return. Don’t leave something as important as your tax return to the last minute. Go to GOV.UK to start today.”

Those who start their tax return early can take their time to access the range of online help available to them. Once started they have time to dip back in as many times as they need to check it’s accurate before submitting.

Those who file their tax return early don’t need to pay their tax bill straight away but can consider the best way to settle it ahead of the deadline.

The quickest and easiest way to pay is via the free and secure HMRC app although a full list of alternative payment options are available on GOV.UK.

For customers who are unable to pay their tax bill in full, HMRC may be able to help by arranging an affordable payment plan, known as Time To Pay. They can set up a plan online on GOV.UK. Alternatively, they can contact the helpline.

If anyone is unsure if they need to fill in a tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year, they can use the Self Assessment checker tool on GOV.UK where they can also register and notify HMRC if they no longer need to complete one.

Child Benefit claimants who would only file a tax return to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) can now opt out of Self Assessment and choose to pay it through their tax code via the new PAYE digital service.

Eligible customers can call HMRC to de-register from Self Assessment before the filing deadline. Where a tax return has already been sent, customers can choose to de-register from the following tax year. HMRC will then amend their tax code and they will be registered to pay HICBC through the new PAYE digital service.

Customers do not need to include their 2025 Winter Fuel Payment, or Pension Age Winter Heating payment in Scotland, on their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year as payments received in Autumn 2025 will be recovered in the 2025 to 2026 tax return, due by 31 January 2027.

Self Assessment customers are at increased risk of being targeted by criminals and should never share their HMRC login details with anyone, including a tax agent, if they have one.