Tax Deadlines for Small Businesses in 2026/27

Stay ahead of HMRC deadlines, avoid penalties, and take control of your finances — without the stress.

If you're running a small business or working as a sole trader in Wolverhampton or the wider West Midlands, keeping up with tax deadlines can feel overwhelming.

Miss one date and it can lead to penalties, interest, and unnecessary stress.

At Brightson Accounting, we help local business owners stay compliant, reduce tax, and focus on growth — not paperwork.

Bookmark this page or let us handle everything for you.

Self Assessment – Key Dates

• 31 July 2026 – Second payment on account (2025/26)
• 5 October 2026 – Register for Self Assessment
• 31 October 2026 – Paper return deadline
• 31 January 2027 – Online filing + final payment + first payment on account

This is the most important deadline of the year.

💡 Note:
From 2026 onwards, all businesses operate on the tax year basis (6 April to 5 April) following HMRC's basis period reform. If your accounts previously used a different year-end, your profits are now aligned to the tax year.

Making Tax Digital (MTD)

From 6 April 2026, MTD becomes mandatory for individuals with gross income above £50,000 (2024/25).

You must:

• Keep digital records
• Submit quarterly updates
• Submit a Final Declaration (replaces Self Assessment return)

Quarterly Deadlines:

• 7 August 2026 – First MTD quarterly submission (first mandatory filing under the new system)
• 7 November 2026
• 7 February 2027
• 7 May 2027

Final Declaration:

• 31 January 2028

Notes:
• Soft landing applies only to quarterly submissions
• Penalties still apply for late payments and final declarations
• Threshold reduces to £30,000 from April 2027

💡 Note:
While quarterly MTD updates are penalty-free in the first year (2026/27), the Final Declaration (due 31 January 2028) and all tax payments remain fully subject to penalties if missed.

VAT Deadlines

VAT returns are due 1 month + 7 days after each quarter.

Example dates:

• 7 May 2026
• 7 August 2026
• 7 November 2026
• 7 February 2027
• 7 May 2027

Actual deadlines depend on your VAT period.

Corporation Tax

• Payment: 9 months + 1 day after year-end
• Filing (CT600): 12 months after year-end

Examples:

• 31 Dec 2025 → due 1 Oct 2026
• 31 Mar 2026 → due 1 Jan 2027

⚠️ Warning:
If you operate multiple companies under common control, the £50,000 and £250,000 profit thresholds are shared between associated companies, which may push you into a higher tax band sooner.

Payroll & CIS

• PAYE submissions: on or before payday
• Payments: by 22nd of following month
• P60 deadline: 31 May 2026

Employer Deadlines:

• 6 July 2026 – P11D submission deadline (Benefits in Kind)
• 22 July 2026 – Class 1A National Insurance payment deadline

CIS:

• Monthly returns required (including nil returns unless HMRC notified)
• Deadline: 19th of following month

Quick Reference Calendar

Wolverhampton Business Insight

Many local businesses — particularly in trade and manufacturing sectors around Bilston and Wednesfield — experience a January cash flow crunch.

Example:

A sole trader earning £50k–£60k may face:

• VAT due in November
• MTD updates due in November
• A large Self Assessment payment in January

At Brightson Accounting, we help clients:

• Plan ahead with a "tax savings pot"
• Spread liabilities across the year
• Avoid last-minute financial pressure

How Brightson Accounting Helps

We support businesses across Wolverhampton and the West Midlands with:

• Self Assessment
• MTD setup and filing
• VAT
• Payroll and CIS
• Bookkeeping
• Tax planning

All with clear communication and fixed pricing.