According to HM Revenue and Customs, a record 737,891 people submitted Self Assessment returns in April alone – with more than 86,000 filing on Easter Monday.

Accountants say many taxpayers are trying to avoid the annual “January scramble” that leaves millions stressed every year.

Record numbers of taxpayers are filing their Self Assessment returns early this year as HMRC urges millions not to leave everything until January.

New figures from HM Revenue and Customs show:

1. 298,905 people filed between 6 and 12 April
2. 86,270 submitted returns on Easter Monday alone
3. A record 737,891 filed during April 2026

More than 12 million taxpayers are expected to submit a return before the 31 January 2027 deadline.

HMRC says filing early can help people:

• Budget more effectively
• Avoid deadline stress
• Reduce mistakes
• Receive refunds sooner
• Avoid fines and interest charges

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “For thousands of people, filing early and staying on top of their finances has become the norm.

“It takes the pressure off in January and means they can spend their time focusing on their business and doing things they love.”

Accountant says millions repeat the same January mistake

Accountant and host of @thepracticeownerspodcast Rachel Harris said many taxpayers fall into the same cycle every year by filing in January and then ignoring their finances for the next 12 months.

She said: “HMRC absolutely hate it when people do this, and so many of you do it.

“Once they file their tax return in January, they close the tab, don’t look at their numbers again, while simultaneously promising themselves they’ll do it differently next year.

“And I know it’s not because you’re lazy or bad with money. It’s because tax has become set up as a once-a-year scramble.”

Harris said upcoming Making Tax Digital changes are designed to break that cycle.

“Instead of one stressful moment, it’s about staying lightly connected to your finances throughout the year – little check-ins, clearer numbers, and no big January shock.”

Why filing early could save money

Many taxpayers only discover how much tax they owe after completing their return.

Experts say filing early gives households more time to:

1. Save gradually
2. Plan for payments
3. Avoid financial shocks in January

Taxpayers owed money back from HMRC may also receive refunds faster if they file early.

HMRC says people can check refunds directly through the HMRC app once returns are processed.

First-time filers warned not to wait

Anyone filing a tax return for the first time must:

1. Register with HMRC
2. Receive a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)
3. Wait for separate online access codes

Experts warn the process can take weeks during busy periods.

HMRC fines are now more expensive

The warning comes after an estimated 1.1 million taxpayers missed the filing deadline last year.

Late filers automatically face:

• A £100 penalty, even if only one day late

Additional penalties include:

1. £10 daily fines after three months
2. A further 5% charge after six months
3. Another 5% penalty after 12 months

Late payment charges have also increased.

Since April 2025, HMRC interest rates are now:

• Bank of England base rate plus 4%

With the base rate currently at 4.25%, overdue tax bills can now attract interest of 8.25%.

Major HMRC tax changes have begun

HMRC is also preparing millions for upcoming Making Tax Digital changes.

From April 2026:

• Sole traders and landlords earning above £50,000 must submit quarterly digital updates

From April 2027:

• The threshold falls to £30,000

Taxpayers will still need to submit annual Self Assessment returns alongside quarterly reporting.

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HMRC scam warning

HMRC also warned taxpayers to watch out for scams during tax return season.

Fraudsters often impersonate HMRC using:

• Fake texts
• Emails
• Phone calls
• Refund messages

Officials warned people never to click unexpected link, share HMRC login details, or hand over personal information without verifying requests.

Supermarket bosses have not opened branches across the country due to a national issue with ‘electronic systems’, understood to be the tills.

Branches affected in Oxfordshire, which were due to open at 7am, include in Abingdon, Wallingford, Oxford and Wheatley.

“Every branch is affected”, a source at the supermarket said. “They have started to do some work to fix it, but we can’t guarantee when the shop will open.

“There has been a critical error with the systems that is being fixed as we speak.”

Waitrose has been approached for further comment.

Cornish Bakery, which started in Mevagissey, Cornwall, is to open its first store in this county in Witney.

The company plans to take over 11 Market Square, which was formerly a Shoe Zone, on the same street as Coffee #1, Gails, and another independent cafe.

The chain announced in February it would be opening seven new stores at the start of the year including its first ever shop in Wales.

It confirmed each new bakery will feature a completely bespoke design philosophy, with unique colours, textures and architectural features, all carefully tailored to the building it occupies, the heritage of the surrounding place and its local community, all a hallmark of what Cornish Bakery brings to each new opening.

The bakery new stores are part of a launch of their ‘RISE by Cornish Bakery’.

This launch marked a turning point away from their traditional coffee and bakery offerings to include additional small plates designed for brunch, lunch, and early evening dining.

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The bakeries first store in Cornwall (Image: Google Maps)

Stores in Newbury, across the county border in Berkshire, and Lincoln opened in March.

Meanwhile its largest store yet in Betws-y-Coed and its first in Wales opened last month.

A significant total of £3.5m will be invested across the new locations, alongside a further £500,000 dedicated to refurbishing four existing bakeries in West Bay, Lyme Regis, Ambleside, and Bourton-on-the-Water.

Managing director, Mat Finch, confirmed the business will be planning more this year as well as significant refurbishments of their existing bakeries.

The chain was set to take over the Pret A Manger shop close to Carfax in Oxford, but announced in January this was no longer the plan.