Free tool for business owners
Tax & Compliance
Deadline Checker
Answer a few quick questions to receive a personalised summary of the deadlines and obligations that may be relevant to you.
Step 1 of 7
Let's start with your details
We'll use these to send your personalised deadline summary, and so our team can follow up if you'd like support.
Please enter your full name.
Please enter a valid email address.
Please enter a contact number.
🔒 Your details are kept confidential and used only to send your summary and for our team to follow up if requested. We do not share your information with third parties.
Step 2 of 7
Which of these apply to you?
Select all that apply — many business owners have more than one. This helps us build the right picture.
Please select at least one option.
Sole trader: If you're self-employed or run a business in your own name — this is you.
Landlord: If you receive rental income from any property, even just one.
Limited company: If your business trades through a company registered at Companies House (you'll have a company number).
SA100 / Personal tax return: If you file a Self Assessment return with HMRC each year.
Many business owners fall into more than one category. If you're uncertain, select the ones that seem to apply — we can help clarify the rest.
Landlord: If you receive rental income from any property, even just one.
Limited company: If your business trades through a company registered at Companies House (you'll have a company number).
SA100 / Personal tax return: If you file a Self Assessment return with HMRC each year.
Many business owners fall into more than one category. If you're uncertain, select the ones that seem to apply — we can help clarify the rest.
Step 3 of 7
About your business
This helps us personalise your summary. Fill in what you know — nothing needs to be exact right now.
The name you trade under — or just your own name if you're a sole trader.
Limited company details
Enter your 8-digit company number and we will look up your details from Companies House automatically.
You can look up your company number for free at Companies House. Search by company name to find it.
If you cannot find it right now, leave it blank and fill in what you know — our team can look this up when we follow up.
If you cannot find it right now, leave it blank and fill in what you know — our team can look this up when we follow up.
Step 4 of 7
VAT registration
VAT deadlines vary based on your filing cycle. Let's find out what applies to you.
VAT filing cycle
How VAT filing cycles work:
When you register for VAT, HMRC places your business onto a filing cycle. Most businesses file quarterly returns; some file monthly.
Quarterly stagger groups divide VAT payers based on which months their quarter ends in:
— Group 1 quarters typically end in March, June, September, and December.
— Group 2 ends in April, July, October, and January.
— Group 3 ends in May, August, November, and February.
How to find yours: Look at the period end date on your most recent VAT return — in your accounting software or HMRC VAT online account.
If you're unsure, select “Not sure” and we can confirm this for you.
When you register for VAT, HMRC places your business onto a filing cycle. Most businesses file quarterly returns; some file monthly.
Quarterly stagger groups divide VAT payers based on which months their quarter ends in:
— Group 1 quarters typically end in March, June, September, and December.
— Group 2 ends in April, July, October, and January.
— Group 3 ends in May, August, November, and February.
How to find yours: Look at the period end date on your most recent VAT return — in your accounting software or HMRC VAT online account.
If you're unsure, select “Not sure” and we can confirm this for you.
Not sure if you're VAT registered? If your annual taxable turnover has exceeded the current registration threshold, you may be required to register. We can review this with you — just request support at the end of this form.
Step 5 of 7
Payroll & PAYE
If you employ anyone — including yourself as a director — payroll and PAYE deadlines may apply.
PAYE payment frequency
Which applies to you? HMRC determines your payment frequency based on your average monthly PAYE liability.
— Monthly applies to most employers. PAYE is due by the 19th of each month (or 22nd if paying electronically) following the payroll date.
— Quarterly is only available if your average monthly PAYE bill is less than £1,500. Payments fall due on 19 July, 19 October, 19 January and 19 April.
If you are unsure, check with HMRC or look at how often you have been making payments. If you have never paid quarterly, you are almost certainly on monthly.
— Monthly applies to most employers. PAYE is due by the 19th of each month (or 22nd if paying electronically) following the payroll date.
— Quarterly is only available if your average monthly PAYE bill is less than £1,500. Payments fall due on 19 July, 19 October, 19 January and 19 April.
If you are unsure, check with HMRC or look at how often you have been making payments. If you have never paid quarterly, you are almost certainly on monthly.
Additional payroll obligations
Select any that apply to your payroll:
Step 6 of 7
Accounting period & year end
This helps us identify when your key filing deadlines are likely to fall.
Personal tax year: If you're a sole trader or landlord, your income tax is based on the UK tax year, which runs from 6 April to 5 April each year. You don't need to choose a separate year end for this.
Company year end
Your limited company has its own accounting year end, which may be different from the 5 April personal tax year. Your company accounts, Corporation Tax return, and Confirmation Statement all have deadlines based on this date.
Select the date your company year ends. If this was auto-filled from Companies House, please check it is correct.
Your company's accounting reference date is the date to which your annual accounts are prepared. You can find it on Companies House — search by company name and it appears in your company overview.
If you cannot find it now, leave this blank. Our team can identify it when they follow up with you.
If you cannot find it now, leave this blank. Our team can identify it when they follow up with you.
Step 7 of 7
Personal tax return & MTD
A few final questions about your personal tax position — almost there.
Key Self Assessment dates:
— 31 January — Online filing deadline plus any balancing tax payment due.
— 31 July — Second payment on account (if payments on account apply to you).
Payments on account: If your tax bill exceeds £1,000, HMRC typically requires advance payments towards the following year's tax, due in January and July. Many people are caught off guard by these for the first time — if you're unsure whether they apply, we can help.
— 31 January — Online filing deadline plus any balancing tax payment due.
— 31 July — Second payment on account (if payments on account apply to you).
Payments on account: If your tax bill exceeds £1,000, HMRC typically requires advance payments towards the following year's tax, due in January and July. Many people are caught off guard by these for the first time — if you're unsure whether they apply, we can help.
Not sure if you need to file? You may need to file a Self Assessment return if you're self-employed, a company director, a landlord, or have income above certain thresholds. If HMRC has written to you asking you to file, you must do so. We can help you establish your position.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD ITSA)
MTD for Income Tax is being phased in based on your combined gross income from self-employment and property — before any expenses are deducted. This includes trading income, rental income, or both added together.
Important: if you have both a sole trade and rental income, you must add them together to find your qualifying income.
Important: if you have both a sole trade and rental income, you must add them together to find your qualifying income.
Use your most recent tax year figures. Include trading turnover and gross rental income before expenses.
✓
Thank you,
Here is a personalised overview of the areas and deadlines that appear relevant to your situation. A fuller version is available by email below.
Your profile
About you
Key reminder areas for you
Get your full deadline summary by email
Enter your email below to receive your complete, personalised reminder schedule. You can also download a copy as a PDF or add all deadlines directly to your calendar.
✓ Summary sent — check your inbox. Our team will be in touch shortly.
No obligation. We will review your situation and respond promptly.
Important — General guidance only. This tool provides helpful general reminders about common tax and compliance deadlines. It does not constitute tax advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional guidance tailored to your individual circumstances.
Exact obligations and deadlines can vary depending on your specific circumstances, HMRC registration dates, elections made, accounting schemes in use, group structures, and HMRC records. Deadlines and descriptions shown are indicative of common arrangements only and may differ in your case.
aescott accepts no liability for actions taken or not taken in reliance on the output of this tool. Please speak to a qualified adviser before making any financial or compliance decisions.
Exact obligations and deadlines can vary depending on your specific circumstances, HMRC registration dates, elections made, accounting schemes in use, group structures, and HMRC records. Deadlines and descriptions shown are indicative of common arrangements only and may differ in your case.
aescott accepts no liability for actions taken or not taken in reliance on the output of this tool. Please speak to a qualified adviser before making any financial or compliance decisions.