Almost 66,500 filed self assessment returns on 6 April 16 May 2022Nearly 66,500 taxpayers filed their 2021/22 self assessment return on the first day of the new tax year, according to figures from HMRC. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of 'early-bird' customers filing their completed self assessment tax returns at the start of the new tax year – almost 30,000 more customers filed their returns on 6 April this year, compared to 2018. HMRC is encouraging others to change their filing habits and do it as soon as they can. Although many wait until nearer the annual filing deadline on 31 January, for some it is an opportunity to beat the last-minute rush and get it done as soon as they can, while they have the relevant information to hand. Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Director General for Customer Services, said: 'You don't need to wait for the January rush to send us your tax return. More and more people are getting theirs out of the way early – search 'self assessment' on GOV.UK to get started.'