Quick answer
Standard update periods follow the tax year from 6 April, so quarters end on 5 July, 5 October, 5 January and 5 April. Calendar update periods start on 1 April and end on the last day of June, September, December and March. The deadlines are the same either way: 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May.
Side by side
Update | Standard period | Calendar period | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 6 April – 5 July | 1 April – 30 June | 7 August |
2 | 6 April – 5 October | 1 April – 30 September | 7 November |
3 | 6 April – 5 January | 1 April – 31 December | 7 February |
4 | 6 April – 5 April | 1 April – 31 March | 7 May |
Each update covers everything from the start of the year to the end of that period, so the periods are cumulative.
Who should use calendar quarters
Businesses whose accounts run 1 April to 31 March
VAT-registered sole traders whose VAT quarters end in June, September, December and March
Anyone whose bookkeeping already works in calendar months
How to choose
You choose calendar update periods in your software. If you don’t, standard update periods apply.