Self Assessment
Note: The following has been reproduced from the HMRC website.
Self Assessment is a clearer way of working out and paying tax. It applies to everyone who gets a Tax Return. The vast majority of people do not get a Tax Return and pay all their tax under PAYE.
Further details can be found in the new guidelines for Self Assessment Returns
What will you get through the post each April?
What you receive through the post each April will depend on how you send in your Tax Return.
Wherever possible HMRC wishes to avoid sending a paper return to taxpayers who are unlikely to use it, for example taxpayers:
- who use the Self Assessment Online (PDF);
- whose agents use a substitute form of the Tax Return;
- whose agents file online using the Self Assessment Online for Agents – Internet.
If you are a Self Assessment taxpayer and you file your own paper return we will send you three documents each April:
- Self Assessment Tax Return
This brings together all the figures we need to calculate and check your tax bill. The main Tax Return covers some types of income, reliefs and allowances. That is all some people will have to complete. Other people may also need supplementary pages covering other types of income, such as income from employment or from self-employment. These pages will be included after the main Tax Return pages to form a single customised Tax Return.
- Tax Return Guide
This will help you complete your Tax Return . It has colour-coded explanatory notes for any supplementary pages included in your Tax Return. For example, an employee with a salary, savings and use of a company credit card will have a Tax Return with supplementary pages for employment income, and a Tax Return Guide which has explanatory notes on employment.
-
Tax Calculation Guide
This will help you calculate your tax bill if you wish. There are separate guides for people with capital gains and certain lump sums and other payments.
Note: There is no Tax Calculation Guide associated with the Partnership Tax Return.
If you do not have a tax adviser but you file your return online using the Self Assessment Online we will not send you the standard paper Tax Return and Guides. Instead we will send you a Notice to Complete a Tax Return (SA316). These will not be sent where Tax Returns are issued after the main April issue. In such cases a paper Tax Return will always be sent.
If you have a tax adviser who completes the return for you the documents you receive each April will depend on how your adviser sends in your Tax Return:
- If your adviser files your return using the Self Assessment Online for Agents – Internet or a substitute paper return we will send you a Notice to Complete a Tax Return (SA316)
- If your adviser sends in the official paper return we will send you the paper Tax Return. We will not send you either the Tax Return Guide or the Tax Calculation Guide.
Whichever document you receive, you should pass it on to your tax adviser as soon as possible.
Where can you get more information to help you with your Tax Return?
More detailed information is available in the help sheets and leaflets listed in the Tax Return Guide. These, as well as supplementary pages and other Self Assessment forms, are available from:
Telephone: 0845 9000 404
Fax: 0845 9000 604
or they can be ordered online from the Online Order form.
If you are calling from abroad:
Telephone: +44 161 930 8331
Fax: +44 161 930 8444
Alternatively these can be viewed or downloaded from the Tax Returns and Notes pages.
For tips on Self Assessment see the page ‘Tips on Self Assessment‘ under additional information and help.
Key Dates for Completing and
Sending Back Your Tax Return
Key Dates |
What Happens / Why Is This Date Important ? |
|---|---|
|
6 April |
This is when a new tax year starts. A Tax Return or Notice to Complete a Tax Return (SA316) will be sent out to all people who get a tax return each year. |
|
31 July |
You will be charged a second automatic penalty of £100 if your 2005-06 Tax Return was due back by 31 January 2007 but it has not been sent in. |
|
30 September |
If you are completing a paper Tax Return for 2006-07, you must send it back by this date if you want us to:
(If we receive your paper Tax Return after 30 September and process this by 30 December, we will still calculate your tax and we will still try to collect tax through your tax code but we can’t guarantee to tell you what to pay by 31 January.) Remember: If you send back your Tax Return over the Internet all the Software and Online forms will calculate your tax liability for you. |
|
30 December |
If you send back your Tax Return over the Internet you must send it back by this date if you want us to:
|
|
31 January |
If you were sent a Tax Return by 31 October this is the deadline for sending back your completed 2006-07 Tax Return |
|
1 February |
If you were sent a Tax Return by 31 October you will be charged a penalty of £100 if we have not received your return by this date. |
|
6 April |
The new tax year starts. A Tax Return or Notice to Complete a Tax Return (SA316) will be sent out to all people who meet the criteria to get a Tax Return each year. |
Key Dates for Payments
|
Key Dates |
What Happens? |
|---|---|
|
31 July |
Some people may have to make ‘payments on account’. Each payment will normally equal one half of the previous year’s tax liability (after taking off tax deducted at source and tax credits on dividends). The payments are due on 31 January in the tax year and 31 July following the tax year. If you need to make a second payment on account for the tax year ending on 5 April this is the date by which it should be paid. You may be charged a second automatic 5% surcharge if you were due to pay tax on 31 January and it has not been paid in full by 31 July |
|
30 September |
If you are sending a paper Tax Return, you need to send it back by this date if you want us to collect tax through your tax code, if possible, where you owe less than £2000. |
|
30 December |
If you are sending your Tax Return for over the Internet you need to send it back by this date if you want us to collect tax through your tax code, if possible, where you owe less than £2000. |
|
31 January |
If you were sent a Tax Return by 31 October this is the deadline for paying the balance of any tax you owe. Interest will be charged if we have not received your payment by this date. Some people may have to make ‘payments on account’. Each payment will normally equal one half of the previous year’s tax liability (after taking off tax deducted at source and tax credits on dividends). The payments are due on 31 January in the tax year and 31 July following the tax year. If you need to make a first payment on account for the tax year ending on 5 April 2008 this is the date by which it should be paid. |
|
28 February |
You may be charged an automatic 5% surcharge if you were due to pay tax for the year 2006/07 and it has not been paid in full by 28 February 2008. |
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