The benefits of NOT leaving it to January 31st

Alina Rotar, Accountant

1. Avoid January Panic

Client:

It’s mid-January, you’ve finally packed away the Christmas decorations (or let’s be honest, they’re still up) and you’re still recovering from the post-Christmas slump. Suddenly, it hits you—TAX RETURN! You start rummaging frantically through the “Deal with later”  drawer of paperwork you’ve been promising to sort since, let’s say, April.

Instead, if you sorted your tax return back in  November, you could be enjoying a cuppa peacefully. No rummaging and no panic-induced sweat.

Accountant:

January- the month we question all our life choices. The phone won’t stop ringing and every email starts with  “Sorry I left it so late…”  But if you send the information in early, we can greet you with a cheery smile rather than the haunted, sleep-deprived look that says, “I’ve had more coffee than sense.”

2. More Time to Fix Errors

Client:

Ever attempted to fill out your tax return at 10pm on January 30th and realised you’ve completely forgotten that side hustle you started selling artisanal candles last spring? With the deadline looming, there’s no time to double-check and you end up desperately guessing numbers, wondering if HMRC will buy that your cat ate your receipts.

Accountant:

Accountants are not magicians, but we can spot those little errors that might cost you! Give us time, and we can find all those missed deductions and check for accuracy. Leave it till January 31^st and  we’ll be typing faster than a squirrel on caffeine, hoping nothing gets missed. Early submissions mean more time to ensure everything is right and avoid any scary HMRC letters later.

3. No Nasty Surprises Later

Client:

By January, your bank account is looking a bit sad after Christmas (because who can resist that Boxing Day sale?) and just when you think you’re on top of things—BAM! You’re hit with your personal tax bill. You suddenly realise you owe HMRC a sum  that you didn’t take into account when you did all that Christmas shopping.

Doing your tax return early gives you time to prepare for the bill. You can face reality with dignity and a savings plan, rather than being caught off guard.

Accountant:

Surprises are all well and good if we’re talking about birthday cakes or winning the lottery. But surprise tax bills? Not so much. Submitting early means we can make sure you’re not hit with a nasty shock and you understand your liability. Plus, your accountant won’t secretly cry behind their desk at 10 PM on January 30th.

4. Beat the January HMRC Traffic Jam

Client:

Ever tried submitting your return at 10:00 PM on January 31st? It’s like trying to squeeze onto a crowded tube at King’s Cross during rush hour. The system can crash, leaving you staring at a spinning loading wheel while muttering, “Please don’t fine me… please don’t fine me…”

Submitting early means no system failures, no stress, no accidentally throwing your laptop out the window in frustration.

Accountant:

HMRC’s system is under more strain in late January than I am after three cups of coffee and no lunch. Submitting early means we avoid the digital equivalent of sitting on the M25 in rush hour. We can file early with ease rather than hitting refresh repeatedly while HMRC teases us both with a “We’re processing your return” message for hours.

5. You’ll Make Your Accountant’s Day (and We’re More Fun When Happy, Trust Me)

Client:

Accountants, believe it or not, are human beings too (mostly). We have lives, emotions, and a deep-rooted desire not to be up at 2 AM in January, frantically typing in numbers. But give us your tax return information early and you’ll get a friendly, well-rested accountant who’s not muttering about tax code changes under their breath. We’ll have time to chat, offer advice, and maybe even crack a joke or two. Leave it to January 30th, and you might get a hurried response, an apologetic email, and a deep sigh from your accountant.

Accountant:

We love helping you, we really do. But when we’re working extra hours in late January, we’re not at our best. The earlier you submit, the more time we have to focus on your tax return without juggling 50 others at the same time. And hey, we might even have time to offer you extra tips and ideas that could save you money!

In short, leaving your tax return until January 31st doesn’t just give you unnecessary stress—it also drives your accountant one step closer to the brink of insanity. Instead, submit early, breathe easy and avoid the faff, the fines, and the frantic January rush.

Let’s make January 2025 the year we all sail through the 31st with calm, serenity, and absolutely no panic Googling  “What is the penalty for missing the tax deadline?”