Managing finances and getting your accounting in order is all part of running a small business – something that can get challenging pretty quickly.
Keeping up with the UK Accounting Calendar and key tax dates will help you stay on top of the logistics, from tax filings and VAT returns to a whole host of deadlines. Let’s break down the 2025/26 Accounting Calendar to help small businesses stay on top of critical dates.
In this guide we’ll cover:
- Key accounting period calendar dates for the 2025/26 tax year
- 4-4-5 Accounting Calendar 2025
- 13-Period Accounting Calendar
- Tax return dates for 2025/26
- Quarterly VAT return dates for 2025
- Preparing for the end of the 25/26 UK financial year
- How Dojo can help
- FAQs
Mark your calendar: Key accounting dates for the 2025/26 tax year
In the UK, the tax year 2025/26 begins on 6 April 2025, and ends on 5 April 2026. These dates are important – helping you stay on top of your accounts and finances.
Here at Dojo, we make cash flow easier with flexible plans to suit your business. Opt for an annual contract, and you’ll enjoy next-day transfers for the first year – helping you stay on top of your finances.
April 2025
- 5 Apr – Last day of the tax year 2024/25 – deadline for claims related to the 2019/20 tax year. Claims for 2024/25 can be made until 5 Apr 2029
- 6 Apr – Start of tax year 2025/26
- 19 Apr – Final RTI payroll report for 2024/25 must be submitted
- 22 Apr – Electronic remittance deadline for PAYE, NICs, and CIS
May 2025
- 7 May – Quarterly VAT return dates 2025 – VAT returns and payments due for the quarter ending 31 Mar
- 22 May – Electronic remittance deadline for PAYE, NICs, and CIS
- 31 May – Issue P60s to all employees
June 2025
- 7 Jun – VAT returns and payments due for quarter ending 30 Apr
- 22 Jun – Electronic remittance deadline for PAYE, NICs, and CIS
July 2025
- 5 Jul – Finalise PAYE Settlement Agreements (PSA) for 2024/25
- 6 Jul – P11D deadlines 2025 – submit forms and provide copies to employees
- 7 Jul – VAT returns and payments due for the quarter ending 31 May
- 22 Jul – Electronic remittance deadline for PAYE, NICs, and CIS
- 31 Jul – Second payment for the 2024/25 tax year due
August 2025
- 7 Aug – VAT returns and payments due for the quarter ending 30 June
- 22 Aug – Electronic remittance deadline for PAYE, NICs, and CIS
January 2026
- 7 Jan – VAT returns and payments due for the quarter ending 30 November
- 22 Jan – Deadline for electronic remittance of PAYE, NICs, and CIS
- 31 Jan – Final day for Self-Assessment deadline 2024/25. Also due date for the first payment on account for 2025/26
February 2026
- 7 Feb – VAT returns and payments due for the quarter ending 31 December
- 22 Feb – Deadline for electronic remittance of PAYE, NICs, and CIS
- 28 Feb – Corporation Tax returns due for the Accounting Period Calendar ending 28 Feb 2025 (12 months after period-end)
March 2026
- 7 Mar – VAT returns and payments due for the quarter ending 31 January
- 22 Mar – Deadline for electronic remittance of PAYE, NICs, and CIS
- 31 Mar – Corporation Tax returns due for accounting periods ending 31 March 2025
April 2026
- 5 Apr – Last day of the tax year 2025 – final day for any tax refund claims
- 6 Apr – First day of the new tax year 2026/27
- 19 Apr – Final RTI payroll report for 2025/26 must be submitted
- 22 Apr – Deadline for electronic remittance of PAYE, NICs, and CIS
Note that corporations can vary depending on specific company accounting periods, align with HMRC guidelines for accuracy.
Types of tax returns for small businesses
Different business types have different tax return requirements:
- Sole traders: Income tax return for small business (filed through Self-Assessment).
- Limited companies: Corporation tax returns (using a CT600 form).
- Partnerships: Filing requirements and nominated partner responsibilities.
- VAT returns: Required for businesses with taxable turnover over £90,000.
Who needs to file a tax return?
- Businesses earning above the tax threshold.
- Sole traders and partnerships registered for self-assessment.
- Limited companies that are liable for Corporation Tax.
- VAT-registered businesses (submitting tax returns).
Balancing the books: 4-4-5 Accounting Calendar 2025
Some industries, like retail and hospitality, find the 4-4-5 accounting calendar 2025 especially useful. This approach divides the financial year into quarters of 2 4-week periods followed by one 5-week period.
This makes it easier for businesses to track revenue and expenses in a way that aligns with their unique seasonal fluctuations and sets up well for your tax year 2025/26 dates.
This means businesses can compare profits and costs quarter by quarter more accurately to make budgeting and financial planning simpler and more effective.
Think beyond months: 13-Period Accounting Calendar 2025
If the 4-4-5 Accounting Calendar isn’t quite right for your business, you might explore the 13-period accounting calendar. This method splits the year into 13 equal four-week periods, making it easier to track performance consistently without the uneven lengths of calendar months.
It’s a popular choice for retailers and hospitality businesses needing clear week-by-week comparisons for sales or costs. Plus, with uniform periods, budgeting and spotting trends become a breeze. If you’re looking for simplicity and structure in your 2025 Accounting and Finance Calendar, this could be worth considering – chat with your accountant to see if it fits.
Your filing guide: Tax return dates for 2025/26
- 5 October 2025: Register for Self Assessment if it’s your first time or you have a new income.
- 31 October 2025: Deadline for paper tax returns.
- 30 December 2025: Submit online if you owe less than £3,000 and want it collected via PAYE.
- 31 January 2026: Final deadline for online returns and any tax owed.
Plan your returns: Quarterly VAT return dates for 2025
If your business is VAT-registered, here are the key quarterly VAT return dates for 2025.
- April 7, 2025 - Q1 VAT deadline 2025
- July 7, 2025 - Q2 VAT deadline 2025
- October 7, 2025 - Q3 VAT deadline 2025
- January 7, 2026 - Q4 VAT deadline 2025
These dates follow the typical VAT schedule, but your exact deadlines depend on your VAT stagger period – the specific months your VAT quarters cover. If you’re not sure, you can check your VAT registration or log into your HMRC account.
Wrapping it up: Preparing for the end of the 25/26 UK financial year
The end of the financial year 2025 is a prime time to wrap up your records and get ready for the new tax cycle:
- Update records: Make sure all transactions are accurately logged.
- Audit accounts: Review your finances, spot discrepancies, and prepare for the following year.
- Use proforma invoices: These can help you organise payments and track expected income, simplifying your year-end financial review.
Less admin, more action with Dojo
Keeping up with financial year dates and accountants’ period deadlines can feel like a whole lot of juggling. Our Accounting Calendar 2025 will help your business thrive through every quarter and keep you on top of your UK tax year 2025/26 dates.
And while you’re streamlining your books and fine tuning your Accounting and Finance Calendar, consider simplifying your payment processing too with our powerful card machines.
Visit our blog for more practical insights into managing your finances effectively, from cash flow management to an introduction to Cash Runway.
