Anyone required to file a tax return for the 2023 to 2024 tax year who misses the 31 January 2025 deadline could face an initial late filing penalty of £100.

Some 38,000 people filed their tax return on 31 December 2024, including 310 who filed theirs in the last hour of the year, while more than 24,800 filed on 1 January 2025.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s director general for customer services, said: “We know completing your tax return isn’t the most exciting item on your New Year to-do list, but it’s important to file and pay on time to avoid penalties or being charged interest.

“The quickest and easiest way to complete your tax return and pay any tax owed is to use HMRC’s online services – go to GOV.UK and search ‘Self Assessment’ to get started now.”