02/03/2026
📆 Key March 2026 Deadlines (UK)
🗓 1 March 2026
• Corporation Tax payment due for companies with an accounting period ending 31 May 2025
(9 months and 1 day after year end, unless paying by instalments.)
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🗓 5 March 2026
• Auto-Enrolment pension contributions must be submitted for payroll paid in February 2026
(Most pension providers require submission by the 5th of the following month.)
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🗓 7 March 2026
• VAT return & payment due for VAT period ending 31 January 2026
(Monthly and relevant quarterly VAT filers.)
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🗓 19 March 2026
(If paying by cheque/post)
• PAYE, NICs & Student Loan deductions due for tax month ending 5 March 2026
• CIS deductions payable to HMRC
• CIS return deadline for payments made to subcontractors in the month to 5 March 2026
(Remember: CIS returns must be filed even if no subcontractors were paid.)
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🗓 22 March 2026
(If paying electronically)
• Electronic payment deadline for PAYE, NICs, Student Loans & CIS deductions
(For period ending 5 March 2026.)
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🗓 31 March 2026 — Financial Year End Planning
This is a key date for tax planning before the new tax year begins on 6 April.
• Last chance to use 2025/26 tax allowances
• Consider:
• Capital Allowances & AIA claims
• Pension contributions
• Dividend planning
• Bonus timing
• R&D claims (where applicable)
• Year-end stock adjustments
For businesses with a 31 March year end, this is also your financial year closing date — meaning Corporation Tax and accounts planning should already be underway.
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⚠️ Common March Pressure Points
• Cashflow tightening before year-end
• Last-minute tax planning decisions
• CIS errors discovered late
• Dividends declared without reviewing profit position
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⏳ Looking Ahead
• New tax year begins 6 April 2026
• Making Tax Digital for Income Tax goes live from April 2026 for qualifying sole traders & landlords
• Now is the time to review:
• Profit extraction strategy
• VAT schemes
• Payroll structure
• Growth plans for 2026/27