Keeping track of bookkeeping deadlines is one of the easiest ways to lower stress and prevent penalties. While annual dates are familiar, they can easily sneak up on you, especially when you’re busy running your business.
This guide details the essential bookkeeping and tax deadlines for 2026 and highlights how planning ahead can significantly impact your finances.
January 2026 deadlines
31 January 2026 is one of the most important dates of the year for many sole traders and business owners.
By this date, you must:
- Submit your Self Assessment tax return for the 2024–25 tax year
- Pay any Income Tax and Class 4 National Insurance owed
- Make your first payment on account for the 2025–26 tax year, if applicable
Leaving preparations too late often results in errors or missed information. Keeping records organised throughout the year makes meeting this deadline much easier.
Payroll deadlines throughout 2026
If you run payroll, submissions must be made on or before each pay date under Real Time Information (RTI).
Key payroll-related deadlines include:
- Monthly or weekly RTI submissions
- 22nd of each month for PAYE and National Insurance payments (or the 19th if paying by post)
At the end of the tax year, additional deadlines apply for final payroll submissions and employee documents.
April 2026 deadlines
The new tax year begins on 6 April 2026. Around this time, you should:
- Complete final payroll reports for the previous tax year
- Issue P60s to employees by 31 May 2026
- Review rates, allowances, and thresholds for the new year
April is also when many businesses review their bookkeeping procedures and make adjustments for the year ahead.
VAT deadlines in 2026
VAT deadlines vary depending on your VAT period, but most VAT returns and payments are due one month and seven days after the end of each VAT quarter.
For example:
- Quarter ending 31 March 2026, due 7 May 2026
- Quarter ending 30 June 2026, due 7 August 2026
If you are registered for Making Tax Digital for VAT, returns must be submitted through MTD-compatible software.
July 2026 deadlines
31 July 2026 is the deadline for the second payment on account for the 2025–26 tax year, if you are required to make payments on account.
Planning this payment early helps avoid cash-flow pressure during the summer months.
Making Tax Digital deadlines to be aware of
From April 2026, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax begins for sole traders and landlords with income over £50,000.
This introduces:
- Quarterly digital updates
- End-of-period statements
- A final declaration
Even if MTD does not yet apply to you, keeping digital records now makes future compliance much easier.
Why tracking bookkeeping deadlines matters
Missing a deadline can result in penalties, interest charges, and unnecessary stress. More importantly, it often means rushing through records and overlooking details that could have been managed calmly earlier.
A clear understanding of deadlines helps you distribute work evenly throughout the year rather than handling everything at once.
How Rosemary Bookkeeping can help
Managing deadlines alongside daily tasks can feel overwhelming. Rosemary Bookkeeping helps businesses stay organised and on course throughout the year.
Your local Rosemary Bookkeeper can help you:
- Keep records up to date
- Monitor upcoming deadlines
- Prepare submissions accurately and on time
- Stay compliant as rules change
Good bookkeeping is not just about meeting deadlines. It is about maintaining confidence in your numbers year-round. Let your local Rosemary Bookkeeper help you this year.
