The documents to gather, the dates to remember and the mistakes that most often lead to penalties.
Every year thousands of people leave their tax return until the final week of January. A little preparation now makes the process faster, cheaper and far less stressful.
Key dates
- 5 April — end of the tax year
- 5 October — deadline to register for Self Assessment if you are new
- 31 January — online filing deadline and payment of any balance owed
- 31 July — second payment on account, if applicable
Documents to gather
- P60 or P45 from any employment
- Records of self-employed income and expenses
- Rental income and letting agent statements
- Bank interest, dividends and overseas income
- Pension contributions and Gift Aid donations
Common mistakes
Forgetting payments on account, missing overseas income and claiming personal costs as business expenses are the issues we see most often. A late return triggers an automatic £100 penalty, even if no tax is due.
Practical articles from our team. General information only — contact us for advice on your situation.