There were 4,757 taxpayers who filed their self assessment tax return on Christmas Day, HMRC revealed. Meantime, 127 people forwent New Year celebrations and filled in their tax retrun between midnight and 00:59 on 1 January. 

A day traditionally dominated by eating, drinking, and exchanging gifts saw a perhaps surprising number of taxpayers also find time to go online with 4,757 completing the essential job of filing their tax return for the 2022 to 2023 tax year, ahead of the 31 January 2024 deadline. 

Over the three-day festive period, 25,769 taxpayers submitted their tax return, up from 22,060 last year. Boxing Day was the most popular day with 12,136 filing and 8,876 found the time on Christmas Eve.

New Year's Day was another busy day with 23,724 taxpayers taking time out to complete a return from mid afternoon the most popular time.

The peak time was between 12:00 and 12:59 on Boxing Day, when 1,121 returns were received by HMRC.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: ‘Our Christmas Day filers proved that there is no time like the present to get started on self assessment, and with our online tool it can be a simple task that’s easy to fit around other festive commitments.

‘There’s no need to delay, getting it done ahead of the 31 January deadline means less stress and longer to work out payment options.’

Taxpayers can submit their tax return online, but they do not have to pay until 31 January 2024.

Those who cannot pay in full by the deadline may be able to set up a Time to Pay arrangement online if the amount owed is less than £30,000.

There is a new affordability assessment for taxpyayers to enter their income and spending to calculate disposable income and set up an affordable payment plan.