Getting Help with Self Assessment

Completing a Self Assessment tax return can feel daunting, particularly if you're doing it for the first time. The good news is that HMRC offers extensive free resources to help you through the process, from YouTube videos and webinars to helplines and online tools. Knowing where to look for help can save you time and help you avoid mistakes on your return.

Free online tools and resources

HMRC provides several online tools to help you work out whether you need to file a return and how to register:

• Check if you need to send a Self Assessment tax return – this tool helps you decide whether you need to complete a return based on your circumstances
• Check how to register for Self Assessment – this guides you through the registration process if you're self-employed, in a partnership, or need to file for another reason
• Check when you can expect a reply from HMRC – if you've already contacted HMRC, this tells you when to expect a response

If you previously registered for Self Assessment but didn't send a return last year, you may need to reactivate your Self Assessment account. Checking how to register properly means your return will be processed more quickly and any refunds or correspondence won't be delayed.

Help built into your tax return

When you complete your online tax return, you'll find help text throughout that explains how to fill in each section. If you use a paper return, you'll receive guidance notes with similar information.

HMRC has also published detailed guidance on filling in specific sections of your Self Assessment tax return, including helpsheets, videos and recorded webinars.

YouTube videos

HMRC's YouTube channel has playlists covering all aspects of Self Assessment:

• Starting Self Assessment – why you've been sent a tax return and how to register
• New to Self Assessment – key information about budgeting and payments
• Online Self Assessment tax return – how to start and finish your return, the different sections, and your calculation and payments
• How to fill in your tax return – general guidance on completing the form
• Self-employed tax returns – including allowable expenses
• UK property income – including allowable expenses for landlords
• Student and postgraduate loan repayments – what to show on your return
• Self Assessment tax bills and penalties – what your bill may include, payment methods, and how to appeal a late filing penalty

If you're completing your first tax return, HMRC has a specific video called "My first Self Assessment tax return" that covers how to register, due dates, what information you need, viewing your calculation, and submitting your return. This video is also available in Welsh.

Recorded webinars

HMRC offers a series of recorded webinars that you can watch at any time. These go into more depth than the YouTube videos and cover:

• New to Self Assessment – an introduction – key dates, the online and paper tax returns, commonly used sections, and where to find further help
• New to Self Assessment – records, budgeting and payments – amending returns, record keeping, budgeting for your tax bill, paying your bill, using the HMRC app and online accounts, and troubleshooting
• Starting your online tax return – who must send a return, getting started, the 'Tell us about you' page, and tailoring your return
• The employment section – employment records you need, the employment page, taxable employment benefits and expenses, claiming tax relief on work-related expenses, and student and postgraduate loan deductions
• The self-employment section – business details and turnover, expenses, capital allowances and balancing charges, other tax adjustments, losses, tax deducted, and Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance
• The UK property section – rent a room relief, joint lettings, furnished holiday lettings, when to record income and expenses, the property income allowance, property expenses, and adjustments for other property income
• Other income and tax reliefs – bank interest, dividend income, state pensions and benefits, work pensions, High Income Child Benefit Charge, payments into pensions and to charity, blind person's relief, and marriage allowance
• Finishing your online tax return – underpaid and overpaid tax, checking your return, saving and submitting, and amending your return after submission
• Your Self Assessment calculation and payments – what's in your calculation, payments on account, what to pay and when, budget payment plans, how to pay, and what to do if you can't pay on time

You can register for these webinars in advance. HMRC recommends joining each webinar 5 minutes before the start time.

Understanding your statement

HMRC has a video explaining how to understand your Self Assessment statement. It covers how to check how much you owe, how to pay, how to check what you've paid, why your statement might show a balance due when you've already paid (or vice versa), what to do if you think your statement is wrong, and what to do if you can't pay.

Email updates

You can subscribe to the HMRC help and support email service to receive information on Self Assessment and other topics. You can change your topic subscriptions or unsubscribe whenever you want.

Your HMRC online accounts

Sign in to your personal tax account or business tax account to:

• Complete or amend your tax return
• Check how much Self Assessment tax you owe
• Make a payment or claim a refund
• Find your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)

You can also download the HMRC app onto your phone or tablet for easier access to these services.

HMRC's digital assistant and social media

You can ask questions about Self Assessment using HMRC's digital assistant, an automated chat tool. For generic questions, you can also contact HMRC Customer Support on X (Twitter), but don't include personal or financial information in your posts.

Phone and extra support

While online help is often quicker, you can phone HMRC if you need to. If you've already contacted them, use the online tool to check when you can expect a reply.

If a health condition or personal circumstances makes it difficult to use HMRC's online services, you can get extra support. HMRC provides funding to voluntary and community sector organisations that offer free Self Assessment help and advice.

When you might need professional advice

While HMRC's resources can help with straightforward returns, you may want to consider professional help from an accountant if:

• Your tax affairs are complex (for example, you have multiple sources of income, overseas income, or capital gains)
• You're unsure about what expenses you can claim
• You want to make sure you're claiming all the tax reliefs available to you
• You've received a Self Assessment notice but aren't sure whether you actually need to file a return
• You're behind with your returns and need to catch up
• You're facing penalties or enquiries from HMRC

An accountant can also help you plan ahead to minimise your tax bill legally and budget effectively for future payments.

Key deadlines to remember

You must tell HMRC by 5 October if you need to complete a tax return for the previous tax year and you've either not sent one before or didn't need to send one for the 2023/24 tax year. You could be fined if you don't tell HMRC by this date.

Once registered, you can send your tax return any time after 5 April. Sending it earlier means you'll know what you owe and have time to budget or set up a payment plan if needed. Your tax bill is due by 31 January.

Sources

• HMRC email updates, videos and webinars for Self Assessment
• Help online with Self Assessment
• Self Assessment tax returns

This article provides general guidance based on current HMRC rules. For advice specific to your situation, speak to your accountant.