SELF ASSESSMENT TAX RETURNS
A Self Assessment Tax Return, also called a personal tax return or SA1 form, is a document provided by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for individuals to report their earnings, costs, and allowances for a specific financial year. This form is used by HMRC to calculate and collect taxes on various income sources that are not handled through standard methods like PAYE (Pay As You Earn).
Annual self-assessment tax returns are mandatory for various individuals, including the self-employed, partners in businesses, directors of limited companies, UK residents with foreign income, individuals abroad with UK earnings, high earners above £100,000 yearly, trustees of charitable trusts, individuals with significant dividend income, those with over £10,000 in annual investments, recipients of untaxed income, and more. Failing to submit a personal tax return is a legal obligation. If unsure about your obligation, contact our team at Fast Tax Refunds. Most UK residents have taxes deducted via PAYE and may not need to file an individual tax return.
When completing your HMRC tax returns, you can seek tax relief on various expenses such as wages, rent, utilities, phone bills, office supplies, vehicle expenses, tools, advertising, legal fees, and more.
Self-assessment tax returns are typically issued on April 6th at the commencement of the new UK financial year, with a deadline of January 31st for online submissions. For paper tax returns, the deadline is earlier, on October 31st. Opting for an online tax return offers the advantage of receiving an instant receipt upon submission and contributes to reducing paper waste. It’s important to note that for paper tax returns, the deadline is determined by the date HMRC receives the return, not the date it was posted. Failure to meet the deadline may result in a late filing penalty.
Late filing penalties can vary based on the delay and outstanding tax owed. Penalties range from £100 for up to 3 months late, up to £300 or 5% of the tax due for delays over 6 months. Filing on time is essential to avoid these penalties. Contact HMRC if you anticipate difficulties meeting the deadline to discuss potential arrangements.
