HMRC estimates 11.3m of 12.2m of the taxpayers who had to file a self-assessment tax return for the 2020/21 tax year did so by 28 February 2022.
Individuals and trusts required to submit a self-assessment return must usually do so by the 31 January that comes after the tax year in question to avoid a fine.
However, HMRC announced in early January 2022 that no fines would be applied for tax returns that were filed past the typical deadline but were sent to them by 28 February 2022.
This essentially extended the self-assessment deadline by a month, which HMRC also did for individuals filing their 2019/20 self-assessment tax return in 2021.
Lucy Frazer, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “Today’s stats show how vital the extra month was in supporting the cashflows of more than a million self-employed people and businesses across the UK, helping to ensure their survival as we recover from the pandemic.”
Individuals who filed their return on time have until 1 April to pay their tax bill or set up a time to pay arrangement to avoid a financial penalty, although interest will still accrue from 1 February on any unpaid tax.
The time to pay service allows individuals and businesses to spread their payments of up to £30,000 in instalments.
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