UK tax years explained
The UK tax year doesn't follow the calendar year. Understanding when it starts and ends matters if you're tracking donations for Gift Aid or your own records.
When does the UK tax year run?
The UK tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April the following year. It is formatted as YYYY-YY:
| Tax year | Runs from | To |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 6 Apr 2024 | 5 Apr 2025 |
| 2025-26 | 6 Apr 2025 | 5 Apr 2026 |
| 2026-27 | 6 Apr 2026 | 5 Apr 2027 |
Why does it start on 6 April?
The 6 April date is a historical quirk. Britain historically used the Julian calendar, which put New Year's Day on 25 March (Lady Day). When the Gregorian calendar was adopted in 1752, the tax year was shifted to preserve the number of days — landing on 5 April. The following year it moved to 6 April, where it has stayed ever since.
How Charity Recorder uses tax years
Every donation you record is automatically assigned to the correct UK tax year based on its date. A donation on 5 April 2026 falls in 2025-26; one on 6 April 2026 falls in 2026-27.
You can filter your donations by tax year and see per-year summaries including your Gift Aid eligible total. The tax year is derived automatically — you never need to set it manually, and it cannot be overridden.
Tax years and self-assessment
If you complete a self-assessment tax return, Gift Aid donations made in a tax year can be included on your return for that year. Higher and additional-rate taxpayers can use this to reclaim extra relief on top of what the charity claims — though the exact rates depend on where you live, as Scottish taxpayers have different income tax bands from those in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Charity Recorder is a record-keeping tool, not a tax adviser.Always consult a qualified accountant or use HMRC's official tools when completing your tax return.
Further reading
HMRC's official guidance: Self Assessment tax returns (gov.uk)