What's changing this month: October and November 2026

Coming up

• 1 Oct
  Energy price cap rises 4%

  A typical dual-fuel household paying by Direct Debit now pays about £1,723 a year. The cap limits the unit rate and standing charge, not your total bill, so use less and you pay less.

• Sun 25 Oct
  Clocks go back

  At 2am the clocks go back one hour, to 1am. Most phones change automatically. Check your car, oven and any timers on heating.

• Wed 28 Oct
  Autumn Budget

  The government sets out tax and spending plans. Changes to tax rates, allowances and benefits are often announced here. We'll update our tools if anything changes.

• 31 Oct
  Paper tax return deadline

  Paper Self Assessment returns for 2025/26 must reach HMRC by midnight. Missed it? File online instead by 31 January 2027. See all Self Assessment dates.

• 7 Nov
  Making Tax Digital quarterly update

  Sole traders and landlords already using MTD must send their second quarterly update for 2026/27. Check if MTD applies to you.

• 30 Dec
  File online to pay through your tax code

  If you owe less than £3,000 and have a job or pension, file your return online by 30 December and HMRC can usually collect the tax through your tax code.

• 1 Jan 2027
  Next energy price cap period

  Ofgem announces the new cap in late November. We'll add the figure here once it's published.

• 31 Jan 2027
  Self Assessment deadline and landline switch-off

  File your 2025/26 return online and pay what you owe. The same day is the target for finishing the switch from analogue landlines to digital. What it means for you.