Record 737,891 Filed Self Assessment in April 2026
HMRC reports a record number of Self Assessment filings in April 2026, with nearly 300,000 returns submitted in the first week of the new tax year.
HMRC has reported that 737,891 people filed their Self Assessment tax return during April 2026 — a record for the first month of a new tax year. Of those, 298,905 filed in the opening week alone, and 86,270 submitted on Easter Monday (6 April), the day the 2025/26 tax year ended.
The figures suggest more people are choosing to file early rather than waiting until the January deadline. HMRC noted that early filers who are owed a refund can receive it sooner — a particular incentive for CIS subcontractors who have had 20% deducted from their payments throughout the year.
Key Points
- 737,891 returns filed in April 2026 — a monthly record
- 298,905 filed in the first week (6–12 April)
- 86,270 filed on Easter Monday alone
- Over 12 million taxpayers are expected to file for 2025/26 by the 31 January 2027 deadline
- The 31 October 2026 deadline applies if you file a paper return
What to Do
- File early if you're expecting a refund — CIS subcontractors with 20% deducted, and anyone who has overpaid, can get their money back sooner by filing now rather than waiting until January
- Set up a Budget Payment Plan — if you'll owe tax, HMRC lets you spread payments across the year with weekly or monthly direct debits
- Check if MTD applies to you — from 6 April 2026, self-employed people and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000 need to keep digital records and file quarterly updates alongside their annual return
Information accurate as of 2026-05-22. Verify current details on GOV.UK.