---
title: When Does the Tax Year End in the UK? (2026/27 Guide)
description: "If you are navigating UK tax compliance, you must understand exactly when different tax periods conclude. The answer to \"when does the tax year end in the UK?\" depends entirely on the type of tax you pay. Parliament applies different…"
url: "https://www.accountingfirms.co.uk/knowledge-bank/when-does-the-tax-year-end-in-the-uk/"
updated: "2026-08-11"
category: Self Assessment basics
---

# When Does the Tax Year End in the UK? (2026/27 Guide)

If you are navigating UK tax compliance, you must understand exactly when different tax periods conclude. The answer to "when does the tax year end in the UK?" depends entirely on the type of tax you pay. Parliament applies different statutory end dates for individual income tax, corporate taxes, and Value Added Tax (VAT).

We have detailed the exact statutory dates and the major 2026/27 reporting changes you must prepare for below.

## The Personal Tax Year: 5 April

For individuals, sole traders, and partnerships, the UK [tax year](https://www.accountingfirms.co.uk/blog/selling-the-garden-for-development/) for income tax and Capital Gains Tax purposes ends on **5 April**.  The subsequent tax year begins the next day, on 6 April.

Section 4(3) of the [Income Tax](https://www.accountingfirms.co.uk/blog/the-taxation-of-cryptocurrency/) Act 2007 provides the definitive legal framework for this timetable.

> "(2)A year for which income tax is charged is called a “tax year”. (3)A tax year begins on 6 April and ends on the following 5 April."

For the current legislative cycle, section 1 of the Finance Act 2026 formally charges income tax for the 2026-27 tax year.  This 5 April end date also governs the "tax year" for Inheritance Tax, defined as the year beginning 6 April in which the tax liability first arises.

## The Financial Year for Companies: 31 March

Corporate entities follow a different statutory timeline. The "financial year" for Corporation Tax ends on **31 March**.  It runs from 1 April to 31 March of the following year.

HMRC assesses Corporation Tax on the profits arising within a company's specific "accounting period" rather than a strict calendar or tax year.  If a company's accounting period straddles more than one financial year, the company must apportion its chargeable profits between the relevant financial years to apply the correct tax rates.

## The VAT "Tax Year": Variable

The VAT "tax year" (used primarily for partial exemption annual adjustments) consists of a 12-month period, but it does not uniformly end in April.  Depending on the business's VAT return quarters, the VAT tax year ends on **31 March, 30 April, or 31 May**.  Businesses that file monthly VAT returns automatically have a VAT tax year ending on 31 March.

### Business Accounting and the "5-Day Rule"

Recent [basis period reforms](https://www.accountingfirms.co.uk/blog/in-with-the-new-basis-period-rules/) require unincorporated businesses to align their taxable profits with the standard 5 April tax year end.  However, to simplify accounting, the legislation introduces "late accounting date rules."

Under section 275B of the Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005, if a business prepares its accounts to a date between 31 March and 4 April inclusive, HMRC treats the business as if it drew its accounts up to the 5 April tax year end.  The profits or losses for those final few days (e.g., 1 April to 5 April) are treated as nil for that tax year and roll forward to the next year.

## Key Deadlines Following the 2026/27 Tax Year End

Once the personal tax year ends on 5 April 2027, several strict statutory deadlines automatically trigger under the Taxes Management Act 1970 (TMA 1970).

- **5 October 2027:** Deadline to notify HMRC of your chargeability to income or capital gains tax if you have not received a notice to file (TMA 1970, s 7).
- **31 October 2027:** Deadline to submit a paper Self Assessment return.
- **31 January 2028:** Deadline to submit an online Self Assessment return and pay the final balancing [tax payment](https://www.accountingfirms.co.uk/blog/time-to-pay-arrangements-practicalities/) (TMA 1970, s 8).

**The Making Tax Digital (MTD) Revolution:** The 2026/27 tax year brings massive reporting changes. From 6 April 2026, HMRC mandates MTD for Income Tax for sole traders and landlords with total qualifying income exceeding £50,000.  These taxpayers must keep digital records and submit quarterly updates rather than waiting until after 5 April to compile their data.  The mandate expands to those earning over £30,000 from April 2027, and £20,000 from April 2028.

## Summary Table: UK Tax Year End Dates

| Tax Regime | Entity / Taxpayer | Statutory End Date | Legislative Basis |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Income Tax & CGT** | Individuals, Sole Traders | 5 April | Income Tax Act 2007, s 4(3) |
| **Inheritance Tax** | Estates, Trusts, Individuals | 5 April | Compliance Handbook CH122130 |
| **Corporation Tax** | Limited Companies | 31 March (Financial Year) | CTA 2009, s 8 |
| **Value Added Tax (VAT)** | VAT-Registered Businesses | 31 March, 30 April, or 31 May | VAT Notice 706, para 12.2 |
| **Business Trading Income** | Unincorporated Businesses | 5 April (or 31 March–4 April equivalent) | ITTOIA 2005, s 275B |

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*Next steps: Evaluate whether your clients' accounting periods align efficiently with the 5 April tax year end, and confirm if their 2026/27 income triggers the new Making Tax Digital quarterly reporting requirements starting 6 April 2026.*