Written by Oroni Chowdhury · Last reviewed: November 2026 · Applies to the 2026/27 tax year
Most people only think about the tax year when a deadline is close or a letter from HMRC arrives. Then the questions start. Is it 1 April or 6 April? Which year does my return cover? Why does my payslip say “week 53”?
This guide answers the date tax year start question properly. It gives the exact dates and weekdays for the next few years, explains where 6 April came from, and shows how that one date drives your Self Assessment deadlines, your allowances and the changes coming in April 2027.
- The UK tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April. It never moves.
- 2027/28 starts on Tuesday 6 April 2027 and ends on Wednesday 5 April 2028.
- The government and Corporation Tax financial year starts on 1 April, which is a different date.
- Your return for 2026/27 is due online by 31 January 2028.
- Many allowances reset on 6 April, and most unused amounts are lost.
- Several Income Tax changes take effect from 6 April 2027.
Date Tax Year Starts: 6 April Every Year
The UK personal tax year always begins on 6 April and finishes on 5 April. GOV.UK puts it simply: the current tax year is 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027 (Income Tax rates and Personal Allowances). Income Tax, National Insurance on self-employed profits, Capital Gains Tax and most personal allowances all follow this year.
The table below lists the date tax year start falls on for four years, with the weekday and the online return deadline for each.
| Tax year | Starts | Ends | Online return due |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | Sunday 6 April 2025 | Sunday 5 April 2026 | 31 January 2027 |
| 2026/27 | Monday 6 April 2026 | Monday 5 April 2027 | 31 January 2028 |
| 2027/28 | Tuesday 6 April 2027 | Wednesday 5 April 2028 | 31 January 2029 |
| 2028/29 | Thursday 6 April 2028 | Thursday 5 April 2029 | 31 January 2030 |
Does the date change if 6 April falls on a weekend?
No. The tax year starts on 6 April even when that is a Sunday, as it was in 2025. A weekend can affect when a payment needs to reach HMRC, but not the year itself. If a payment deadline falls on a weekend or bank holiday, GOV.UK says the money should reach HMRC by the last working day before it, unless you use Faster Payments on the day (pay your Self Assessment tax bill).
Tax year, financial year and your accounts year
People often use “tax year” and “financial year” as if they were the same. They aren’t, and mixing them up causes real errors in budgets and returns.
| Year | Runs | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Tax year | 6 April to 5 April | Income Tax, Self Assessment, PAYE, personal allowances |
| Financial year | 1 April to 31 March | Government budgets and Corporation Tax rates |
| Your accounts year | Day after your year end | A company’s accounts and Corporation Tax periods |
If you run a limited company, its year depends on its accounting reference date, not on April. Our sister firm explains the 1 April date in its guide on when the new financial year starts.
Why Does the UK Tax Year Start on 6 April?
The odd date is a leftover from old calendars. For centuries the English year began on Lady Day, 25 March, one of the quarter days when rents and debts were settled. In 1752 Britain switched to the Gregorian calendar and dropped 11 days, so 2 September was followed by 14 September.
To avoid losing 11 days of tax, the Treasury pushed the start of the next tax year forward, to 5 April 1753. In 1800 one more day was added, which moved the start to 6 April, where it has stayed ever since (The Conversation). The idea of moving to 31 March has been looked at in recent years, but no change has been made.
Tax Weeks, Tax Months and Week 53
The date tax year start falls on also anchors the payroll calendar. Payroll splits the tax year into 12 tax months and 52 tax weeks, all counted from 6 April. Tax month 1 runs from 6 April to 5 May, tax month 2 from 6 May to 5 June, and so on. Tax week 1 covers 6 to 12 April.
Because 52 weeks make 364 days, there is always a leftover day or two at the end of the year. Payroll calls this week 53. It is not a full extra week.
| Tax year | Week 52 ends | Week 53 covers |
|---|---|---|
| 2026/27 | Sunday 4 April 2027 | Monday 5 April 2027 (1 day) |
| 2027/28 | Monday 3 April 2028 | 4 and 5 April 2028 (2 days, as 2028 is a leap year) |
Week 53 only matters if your regular payday falls on one of those days. A weekly-paid worker paid on Mondays, for example, gets 53 paydays in 2026/27. Payroll software works out the tax on that extra payday on its own, so it can look different from your other payslips. If the figure looks wrong, ask your employer’s payroll team before contacting HMRC.
How the Date Tax Year Start Sets Your Tax Return Deadlines
Every Self Assessment deadline is counted from the end of the tax year, which itself is fixed by the 6 April start. Once you know which tax year a return covers, the dates follow automatically (Self Assessment deadlines).
Which tax year does my return cover?
A return is named after the tax year it reports, not the year you file it. The return you send in January 2028 covers 2026/27, the year that started on 6 April 2026. Income goes into the tax year in which you received it or, for a business, the tax year your profits are taxed in.
This catches people out with income near the turn of the year. Rent received on 4 April 2027 belongs to 2026/27. Rent received on 6 April 2027 belongs to 2027/28. With the date tax year start fixed, a two-day gap can move income into a different return, a different rate and, from April 2027, a different property tax rate.
Here is the timeline for the 2026/27 tax year, which ended on 5 April 2027.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 5 April 2027 | 2026/27 tax year ends |
| 5 October 2027 | Register for Self Assessment if this is your first return |
| 31 October 2027 | Paper return deadline |
| 31 January 2028 | Online return deadline and payment of any tax owed |
| 31 July 2028 | Second payment on account for 2027/28, if you make them |
For a fuller explanation of each date, see our guide to Self Assessment deadlines. If you work for yourself, our self-employed tax return guide explains what goes on the return.
Payments on account
If your last Self Assessment bill was over £1,000, and less than 80% of your tax was collected at source (for example through PAYE), HMRC usually asks for two advance payments towards the next bill. Each one is half of the previous year’s bill, due on 31 January and 31 July (payments on account).
Amina’s tax bill for 2025/26 was £5,000. Her bill for 2026/27 turns out to be £6,000.
- 31 January 2027: first payment on account for 2026/27, £2,500.
- 31 July 2027: second payment on account for 2026/27, £2,500.
- 31 January 2028: balancing payment for 2026/27 of £1,000 (£6,000 less £5,000 already paid), plus the first payment on account for 2027/28 of £3,000. Total due: £4,000.
- 31 July 2028: second payment on account for 2027/28, £3,000.
The January figure is the one that surprises people. It includes last year’s balance and half of next year’s estimated bill.
What Resets When the New Tax Year Starts
On 6 April most personal allowances start again from zero. In most cases you cannot carry an unused allowance forward, so anything left at 5 April is lost.
| Allowance | 2026/27 amount | Carry forward? |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Allowance | £12,570 | No |
| ISA allowance | £20,000 | No |
| Pension annual allowance | £60,000 (may be lower for high earners) | Yes, up to 3 years if you were in a registered scheme |
| Capital Gains Tax annual exempt amount | £3,000 | No |
| Dividend allowance | £500 | No |
| Personal Savings Allowance | £1,000 basic rate, £500 higher rate | No |
| Trading and property allowances | £1,000 each | No |
What the new tax year means for employees
If you are paid through PAYE, the date tax year start falls on is when your employer applies your new tax code. HMRC usually sends any change before April, and it shows on your first payslip after 6 April. A code ending in L, such as 1257L, normally means you get the standard Personal Allowance.
Check that code early. An old benefit, a second job or untaxed income can all change it, and a wrong code taken across 12 months adds up. You can see and update your details in your HMRC online account.
The table shows rest-of-UK figures. If you live in Scotland, the tax year starts on the same date, but Income Tax on wages, pensions and profits uses Scottish rates and bands.
What Changes From 6 April 2027
Several Income Tax changes are due from 6 April 2027, when the 2027/28 tax year begins. If you are planning around the next date tax year start, these are the ones to note. Some are already law. Others were announced in the Budget on 28 October 2026 and still need to pass through Parliament, so the details could change.
| Change from 6 April 2027 | Who it affects | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Property income taxed at separate rates of 22%, 42% and 47% | Landlords | Finance Act 2026 |
| Savings income rates raised to 22%, 42% and 47%, with a further rise to 24%, 44% and 49% announced | Savers above their allowance | Law, plus Budget announcement |
| Trading allowance rises from £1,000 to £3,000 | Small side incomes | Budget announcement |
| Making Tax Digital for Income Tax applies above £30,000 of income | Sole traders and landlords | Announced policy |
| Personal Allowance stays at £12,570 | Everyone | Frozen |
Sole Traders, Landlords and the Tax Year
For the self-employed, the date tax year start sets more than the return deadline. It also decides which profits are taxed in which year and when quarterly updates fall due.
Since basis period reform, self-employed profits are taxed on the tax year itself, whatever date your accounts end (basis period reform). If your accounts run to 31 December, for example, you have to split your profits across two tax years. That is why many sole traders now use a 31 March or 5 April year end. HMRC treats 31 March as matching the tax year, which keeps the figures simple.
The tax year also sets the Making Tax Digital calendar. If you are in scope, quarterly updates follow the tax year (Making Tax Digital for Income Tax). For 2027/28 the periods run 6 April to 5 July, 6 July to 5 October, 6 October to 5 January and 6 January to 5 April. Updates are due on 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May.
Not sure whether you are in scope? Our free MTD check takes a few minutes. Our allowable expenses guide explains what you can claim against your profits for the year.
Before and After 6 April: A Short Checklist
A few minutes either side of the date tax year start can save money and stress. Every action below is a normal use of the allowances HMRC gives you.
Before 5 April
- Use any ISA allowance you want to, as it cannot be carried forward.
- Check pension contributions against your annual allowance.
- Think about the timing of Gift Aid donations, which can be claimed back to the previous year in some cases.
- Bring your income and expense records up to date.
After 6 April
- Check your new tax code on your first payslip or in your HMRC online account.
- Keep your P60, due from your employer by 31 May 2027.
- Start a fresh set of records for the new year.
- File your return for the year just ended early, so you know the bill in good time.
Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why it causes trouble | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Treating the tax year as January to December | Income lands in the wrong year on your return | Use 6 April to 5 April for personal tax |
| Mixing up 1 April and 6 April | Budgets and returns don’t match HMRC’s periods | Check which year a rule refers to |
| Assuming 6 April moves for a weekend | Missed planning dates | The date is fixed; only payment timing changes |
| Forgetting payments on account | A bigger than expected January bill | Budget for the balance plus the next advance payment |
| Treating week 53 as a full extra week | Confusion over payslips | It is one or two days at the end of the year |
Date Tax Year Start: FAQs
What date does the tax year start in the UK?
The UK tax year starts on 6 April every year and ends on 5 April the following year. The current tax year runs from 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027.
When does the 2027/28 tax year start?
It starts on Tuesday 6 April 2027 and ends on Wednesday 5 April 2028.
When does the tax year end?
On 5 April. The 2026/27 tax year ends on Monday 5 April 2027.
Why does the tax year start on 6 April?
It comes from the old New Year on Lady Day, 25 March. The 1752 calendar change added 11 days, moving it to 5 April, and an extra day in 1800 moved it to 6 April.
Is the tax year the same as the financial year?
No. The tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April. The government’s financial year, which also sets Corporation Tax rates, runs from 1 April to 31 March.
Does the tax year start on a different date in Scotland?
No. Scotland uses the same 6 April start. Only the Income Tax rates and bands on earnings, pensions and profits differ.
When can I file my tax return for the year that just ended?
From 6 April, once the tax year has ended. Filing early does not mean paying early: the tax is still due by 31 January.
Is there a week 53 in 2026/27?
Yes, but it is only one day, Monday 5 April 2027. It only affects people whose regular payday falls on that day.
Final Verdict: Remembering the Date Tax Year Start Falls On
The date tax year start falls on never changes: 6 April, with the year ending on 5 April. From that one date come your return deadlines, your payments on account, your payroll weeks and the point at which allowances reset. Keep 6 April 2027 and 31 January 2028 in mind, and check the April 2027 changes before you plan the year ahead.
- Note 6 April 2027 and 31 January 2028 in your calendar.
- Check which allowances you still have for 2026/27 before 5 April 2027.
- Gather your P60, bank interest and income records once the tax year ends.