HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) oversaw the biggest digital Self Assessment event ever this year, receiving 10.24 million tax returns by midnight on 31 January, it revealed today. A record 85.5% of these were sent online, with the busiest days for filing coming on 30 and 31 January, when HMRC received 980,000 returns. The busiest hour was between 1pm and 2pm on 30 January, when almost 50,000 returns were received – 830 per minute.

The busiest hour on deadline day was between 11 am and midday, when almost 32,000 returns were received – 530 per minute. HMRC also answered 95% of calls first time on deadline day. Around 4.3 million customers (42%) left it until January to file their returns, which HMRC issued in April 2014.