If you are self-employed or within the self-assessment system, the Income Tax deadline is about more than filing your 2025 tax return.

Here are the key points to understand ahead of the deadline.

1. What does “Pay and File” actually mean?

By 31 October 2026, taxpayers under self-assessment generally need to complete three things:

• File their 2025 Income Tax return
• Pay any balance of Income Tax due for 2025
• Pay preliminary tax for 2026

This means you could be dealing with both your 2025 final tax position and your 2026 preliminary tax at the same time.

2. What is preliminary tax?

Preliminary tax is a payment towards your expected tax liability for the current year.

So, while your 2025 return looks back at income earned last year, your preliminary tax payment looks ahead to your expected 2026 liability.

This is an important part of planning for the deadline, particularly when business income or profits have changed significantly.

3. What is the ROS extension?

The standard Pay and File deadline is 31 October 2026.

However, Revenue has extended the deadline to 18 November 2026 for qualifying taxpayers who pay and file through the Revenue Online Service (ROS).

It is important not to assume that filing online alone automatically gives you the additional time. The conditions for the ROS extension need to be met.

4. What happens if you file late?

Missing the filing deadline can result in a surcharge.

• A return filed less than two months late can attract a surcharge of 5% of the tax due, up to €12,695.
• Where the return is filed more than two months late, the surcharge increases to 10%, up to €63,485.

Interest may also arise where tax is not paid by the appropriate deadline.

5. Why preparing early matters

Your tax return should not be something you start thinking about a few days before the deadline.

Preparing early gives you time to:

• Make sure your financial records are complete • Identify missing information or documents • Understand your final 2025 liability • Calculate the appropriate preliminary tax payment for 2026 • Plan for the cash required to meet your tax obligations

Knowing what you are likely to owe in advance can make the Pay and File deadline much easier to manage.

Don’t leave your 2025 Income Tax Return until the deadline.

If you need support preparing your 2025 Income Tax Return or understanding your upcoming tax obligations, contact the team at Gallagher Keane Chartered Accountants

Email: info@gallagherkeane.ie