A record 11.7 million self assessment taxpayers submitted their tax returns by the 31 January deadline, HMRC has revealed.

The final day for self assessment returns saw 861,085 customers file online to meet the deadline, some with minutes to spare. There were 36,767 customers who filed in the last hour before the deadline, but the peak hour for filing on the day was between 4pm and 4:59pm, when 68,462 customers submitted their tax return.

More than 12 million customers were expected to file a self assessment tax return for the 2021/22 tax year. HMRC is urging customers who missed the deadline to submit theirs as soon as possible or risk facing a penalty.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:

‘Thank you to the millions of customers and agents who got their tax returns in on time. Customers who have yet to file, and who are concerned that they will not be able to pay in full, may be able to spread the cost of what they owe with a payment plan.’

Internet link: HMRC press release