Panicking about your tax return? You’re not alone. 

January tax deadlines can feel overwhelming, and it can be easy to procrastinate filing your tax return. New research from Taxfix shows that tax procrastination – or protaxination! – is widespread in the UK, and it’s getting worse, with 25% of self-assessors admitting they’ll leave it even later than usual this year.

As the UK tax system grows more complex, the impact of the Self Assessment deadline goes far beyond admin. For many, it triggers stress and anxiety, and for some self-employed workers, it’s enough to make them question going solo altogether.

If you’re feeling stressed, confused or tempted to put off your tax return just one more day, it might be time to turn to a platform like Taxfix. Whether you’re a sole trader, a limited company, or filing a Self Assessment for the first time, Taxfix makes tax filing simple, guiding you step by step and connecting you with an expert accountant so you can be confident your submission is correct.

Start your tax return today. It’s easier than you think.

What kind of tax procrastinator are you?

Before you open another tab, reorganise your inbox, or decide the windows need cleaning, take our 60-second ProTAXinator quiz and find out what’s really standing between you and your tax return.

Why am I taking a tax quiz instead of filing my return?

Because procrastination is basically a national sport.

Nearly half of people who need to file haven’t submitted yet.

Am I the only one who would rather do literally anything else than file my tax return?

Absolutely not. 25% of those we surveyed said they’re leaving it even later than usual this year.

And 26% prefer cleaning the fridge to doing their return. That tells you all you need to know!

Why does filing a tax return feel so much harder than it should?

Because it kind of is.

And taxes aren’t just an isolated stress, they spill into real life:

• 32% say tax filing is the worst part of being self-employed
• 16% have questioned working for themselves because of it
• 39% felt anxious over Christmas or didn’t properly switch off
• 600,000 people say tax stress actually ruined their Christmas

Taxfix exists to fix that, by replacing confusing forms and HMRC headaches with a clear, guided process and real human support.

What happens if I keep putting my tax return off?

Short answer: it gets more expensive.

Last year, more than £110 million in £100 late-filing penalties were issued by HMRC after over one million people missed the Self Assessment deadline.

Under current rules, anyone who files late receives an immediate £100 penalty. If a return remains outstanding for more than three months, additional penalties of £10 per day can apply, up to a maximum of £900, with further penalties possible at six and twelve months.

Is it too late to find an accountant?

No, Taxfix is built for exactly this moment. Whether you’re starting late, stuck halfway through, or panicking near the deadline, get in touch.

Taxfix helps last-minute filers:

• Understand the sections of the return that apply to them
• Avoid common mistakes
• Find deductions they didn’t know they could claim
• Get their return checked by an expert accountant

No spreadsheets. No HMRC hold music. No spiral.

The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,000 people in the UK who have to file a self-assessment tax return. The data was collected between 02.01.25 – 07.01.25. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.