Millions of UK workers have two weeks to avoid £100 fine

The deadline for submitting a Self-Assessment tax return is looming - midnight on January 31st, 2025. Last year, it was reported that a staggering 1.1 million people missed the deadline for the previous tax year.

Failure to meet the deadline could lead to an initial fixed penalty of £100, along with any additional charges and interest. If you're among the 12 million individuals in the UK who need to submit a Self Assessment tax return, it's crucial to be aware of the upcoming deadline.

Are you uncertain if the Self Assessment tax return applies to you - or maybe suspect you might be included but don't know where to begin?

Joe Lytwyn, a personal finance expert at VivaMoney.co.uk, provides guidance on who needs to complete a self-assessment tax return, how to do it, and when to submit yours to avoid a £100 penalty.

Joe says: "Self Assessment is an Income Tax collection system used by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC),’ Joe explains. ‘While applicable tax is usually deducted directly from employees’ wages and pensions automatically, a Self Assessment return must be completed by anyone who is self-employed or in receipt of other income, whether as a business or an individual. The return enables HMRC to calculate the amount of tax you owe."

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Joe says: "You’ll need to submit a Self Assessment tax return if, between April 6, 2023, and April 5, 2024, you..."

Adding: "In addition to this, there’s also a chance that you might need to submit a return if you received certain types of untaxed income, such as tips, commission, and money from renting out a property.

"If you’re still unsure as to whether you need to submit a return, you can use this handy tool on