What happens if you don't pay self-employment tax?
We explore what to do if you miss your self-employment tax deadline and the late penalty charges that will apply.
Missing your self-employment tax deadline
If you miss the deadline for submitting and paying your self assessment, you may have to pay a penalty.
The penalty is £100 if your self assessment return is up to three months late. You’ll also pay interest on late payments. Use HMRC’s penalty calculator to estimate how much a late payment will cost you.
When Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for IT) comes into place from 2026, the new points-based penalty system will apply instead.
Disclaimer
Xero does not provide accounting, tax, business or legal advice. This guide has been provided for information purposes only. You should consult your own professional advisors for advice directly relating to your business or before taking action in relation to any of the content provided.
The ultimate guide to self-employed tax
Our expert guide tells you everything you need to know about paying tax to HMRC when you’re self-employed, including tackling MTD for IT
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