Live countdown to the end of the 2026/27 UK tax year. The current tax year ends on 5 April 2027. The new tax year begins on 6 April 2027.
UK tax year end 2026/27
Tax year ends 5 April 2027 at midnight
Key UK tax year dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 6 April 2026 | 2026/27 tax year begins |
| 31 July 2026 | Second payment on account deadline (self assessment) |
| 5 October 2026 | Deadline to register for self assessment (new taxpayers) |
| 31 October 2026 | Paper tax return deadline for 2025/26 |
| 31 January 2027 | Online self assessment deadline for 2025/26 and first payment on account |
| 5 April 2027 | 2026/27 tax year ends |
| 6 April 2027 | 2027/28 tax year begins |
Why does the UK tax year end on 5 April?
The UK tax year ending on 5 April is a historical quirk dating back to 1752 when Britain switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. The old tax year ended on 25 March — Lady Day — which was the start of the new year under the old calendar. When 11 days were lost in the calendar change, the tax year end shifted to 5 April to avoid losing tax revenue. It has remained on that date ever since.
See also
Check our next UK bank holiday countdown, use our UK working days calculator to plan deadlines, or see our how many working days in 2026 guide.