An eight-part series taking you from "do I even need to file?" through registering for a UTR, declaring income, claiming expenses, paying on account and amending after submission.
Most UK workers never need to do a Self Assessment. But about 12 million do. Here's the precise list of trigger conditions for 2024/25 and 2025/26 — and how to register if it turns out you do.
Step-by-step guide to registering for Self Assessment, getting your UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) number, setting up your HMRC Government Gateway account and what to do if things go wrong.
Part 3 of our Self Assessment series — how to declare employment, self-employed, dividend, rental, foreign, savings, crypto and CGT income on your UK tax return. With the boxes to fill, evidence to keep, and common errors.
What you can and can't deduct as a sole trader on your Self Assessment. Home office, mileage, phone, subsistence, professional fees, capital allowances and the £1,000 trading allowance — with worked examples.
How to declare capital gains on your Self Assessment. Shares, crypto, second properties, the £3,000 annual exemption, 60-day property reporting, pooling rules and worked examples for 2025/26.
How HMRC's payments-on-account system works, why your first January bill is bigger than expected, when to reduce them, and the trap of treating January and July as separate
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD ITSA) starts April 2026 for £50k+ self-employed and landlords. Here's what it means, when it applies to you, the software requirements and how it changes Self Assessment forever.
What happens after you submit your Self Assessment return — refunds, balancing payments, amendments, HMRC enquiries, the SA302 for mortgages, and the 5-year record-keeping rule