Important accounting dates in 2026 to help businesses stay compliant, avoid fines and keep financial records up to date. 

Missing important filing dates or submitting incorrect financial figures can result in hefty fines and extra admin, pulling finance teams away from more valuable and strategic work.   

While many accounting tasks can be automated, deadlines still need attention. Tracking deadlines helps finance teams stay on top of things. Planning helps avoid last-minute stress and ensures that financial records and data are accurate and up to date. 

Key dates for 2026 

January  

1 January 2026

  • New 40% First Year Allowance (FYA) becomes available for most main-rate capital expenditure (excluding cars, second-hand assets and assets leased overseas) 
  • UK cryptoasset service providers must start collecting customer data under the Cryptoasset Reporting Framework.  
  • Listed SMEs and other eligible businesses come into scope, with first reports due in 2027.   

2 January 2026

  • VAT loophole closes for some private hire vehicle operators. All such operators move onto a consistent VAT basis.

February 

1 February 2026

  • Alcohol duty uprated with retail price index (RPI). 

March 

22 March 2026

  • Temporary 5p cut in fuel duty ends. 

April 

1 April 2026

  • Benefits in kind (BIK) must be reported via software: digital reporting becomes mandatory for Class 1A NICs and Income Tax on BIK. 
  • Main writing down allowance (WDA) for main-rate assets reduced to 14% – update capex models and fixed-asset planning. 
  • Penalties for late Corporation Tax returns double, increasing the cost of filing late. 
  • New VAT relief on business donations of goods to charities. 
  • National Living Wage/National Minimum Wage/apprentice rate increases take effect – payroll and budgeting impact. 
  • Remote Gaming Duty increases. 

5 April 2026

  • Employer NICs relief for veterans scheduled to end (if you’ve been claiming this relief, factor the cost change into payroll forecasts). 

6 April 2026

  • Start of the 2026/27 tax year – new PAYE, NIC, benefit thresholds apply and payroll systems must be updated accordingly. 

May  

7 May 2026

  • Devolved and local elections across the UK (Scotland, Wales, major English local authorities) with potential knock-on impact on business rates, devolved taxes and local ESG / planning rules – worth tracking if you have significant operations or employees in these regions. 

31 May 2026

  • P60s must be issued to all employees for 2025/26. 

June  

1 June 2026

  • New Advisory Fuel Rates (AFR) for company cars come into effect – update mileage and expenses policies. 
  • Deadline to confirm payrolled benefit information for employees. 

July

5 July 2026

  • PAYE Settlement Agreements (PSAs) for 2025/26 must be agreed with HMRC. 

6 July 2026

  • Close companies with beneficial loans to directors must elect by this date if they want loans treated as a single loan for benefit-in-kind purposes. P11D and P11D(b) forms must be submitted to HMRC and provided to employees.

September 

1 September 2026

  • New Advisory Fuel Rates (AFR) for company cars apply – review mileage rates again.