In total, 37,435 customers filed between 24 and 26 December. Christmas Eve was the most popular day with 22,350 tax returns filed while Boxing Day saw 10,479 tax returns filed.
The most popular times to file were between 11am and midday on Christmas Eve, between 1pm and 2pm on Christmas Day and between 3pm and 4pm on Boxing Day.
The self assessment deadline is 31 January and HMRC is encouraging taxpayers, who have not yet filed their tax return, to visit GOV.UK to start theirs.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Chief Customer Officer, said:
‘Millions of customers have already completed their tax returns and can start 2026 with one less thing to worry about.
‘For anyone yet to file, don't leave it until the last minute. Filing now means you know exactly what you owe and have time to arrange payment. Search 'self assessment' on GOV.UK to get started.’
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21/01/2026
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