31 January deadline for online tax returns

You must send your online tax return by midnight on Thursday 31 January 2013.

The deadline is only later than 31 January if HMRC sent you the letter, telling you to complete a tax return, after 31 October 2012. In this case you'll have three months from the date of the letter.

If you send your tax return earlier, by 30 December, you can ask HMRC to collect the tax you owe through your tax code, providing you owe less than £3,000. You'll see a box that asks if you want to do this on your tax return. HMRC will try to collect the tax through your code, but can't always do so.

If your online tax return is late, you'll have to pay a penalty. You can read more about penalties below in the section 'What happens if you miss the tax return deadline'.

Tax return deadlines and penalties - read more

Getting ready to use HMRC Online Services

You send your tax return online using the HMRC Self Assessment Online service.

If you’re new to online filing

If you haven't sent a Self Assessment tax return online before you must first sign up to use HMRC Online Services. Make sure you have your 10-digit Self Assessment reference number to hand when you register. Take a note of your User ID when it's displayed on screen, as this won't be sent by post.

You'll need to sign up by 21 January 2013. This will allow HMRC time to post an Activation Code to you before you start using the service. If you live abroad you must allow longer to receive your Activation Code.

When you sign-up you can give HMRC your email address. If you do this, HMRC will be able to send a replacement User ID or password to you by email if you lose them.

Sending your tax return online - find out more

See an online tax return demonstration