Self-assessment tax returns: Everything you need to know - MSE

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Self-assessment tax returns

The deadline was 31 January - what to do if you still need to file

Naomi Schraer
Naomi Schraer
Archived 6 February 2020

Just under a million people missed last Friday's deadline for filing their self-assessment tax returns and will face a fine of at least £100 – here's what you need to do if you still haven't filed.

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Update Fri 22 Jan: This guide has been temporarily archived, and may look a little out of date. 

  • Why has this guide been archived? It's because since the coronavirus pandemic began, the way self-assessment operates has been different. This guide is still useful for general self-assessment principles though.
  • Where can I find the latest self-assessment updates? For all the latest information about 2019/20 tax returns, 'on-account' payments and remaining tax owed from 2019/20, see our Self-employed? Don't miss 31 Jan deadline MSE News story.

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Who needs to file a self-assessment tax return?

Most UK taxpayers have their taxes deducted automatically from their wages, pensions or savings, and so don't need to file a tax return.

But around 11 million tax returns were due this year, from individuals or businesses who haven't had tax automatically deducted, or have earned extra untaxed income.

You were required to submit a self-assessment tax return If any of the following applied to you in the last tax year (6 April 2018 to 5 April 2019):

  • You were self-employed and your income was more than £1,000.
  • Your income was more than £50,000, and you or your partner claimed child benefit.
  • You earned more than £2,500 from renting out property, or from other untaxed income such as tips or commission.
  • You earned more than £100,000 in taxable income.
  • You earned £10,000 or more before tax from savings, investments, shares or dividends.
  • You earned income from abroad, or lived abroad and had a UK income.
  • You need to pay capital gains tax.
  • You received income from a trust.
  • Your state pension was more than your personal allowance and was your only source of income (unless you started getting your pension on or after 6 April 2016).
  • HMRC has told you that you didn't pay enough tax last year (and you haven't already paid up through your tax code or voluntary payments).
  • You filed a self-assessment tax return last year (even if you didn't owe any tax). You'll need to do this unless HMRC has already written to you to say you don't need to file one.

If you're still unsure, you can use the Government's free tool to check whether you need to file a tax return.

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How do I file my tax return online?

If you've filed a return online in previous years, you should just be able to log in to your self-assessment account with your Government Gateway or Gov.uk Verify details and get on with it straight away.

However if you haven't filed online before or have forgotten your details, read on...

How to register to file a self-assessment return online

The deadline to file was the 31st January 2020 and has now passed.

But if you do need to file a self-assessment tax return there are two things you need to do ASAP:

  • File a complete self-assessment tax return for the 2018/19 tax year. You'll need to do this online, as the deadline for filing a paper return was 31 October 2019 and paper returns are no longer being accepted. 
  • Pay your tax bill. You'll need to pay any tax you owe for 2018/19, plus in many cases a payment towards what you'll owe for 2019/20. 

You'll need to register for self-assessment on the HMRC website, so you can be sent your unique taxpayer reference (UTR). If you've filed a return previously, you should already be registered. 

If it's your first time filing your tax return online, you'll also need to set up an online account and be sent an activation code. 

Bear in mind that the UTR and activation code are sent by post and can take up to 10 working days to arrive (or 21 working days if you're abroad) – so you should start the process as soon as possible.

What if I've filed online before but lost my login details or password?

If you've filed your return online before but forgotten your details, it's possible to retrieve or reset these online:

  • Forgotten your Government Gateway details? You can retrieve your user ID or reset your password – you'll need to provide some info such as your National Insurance number.

  • Forgotten your Gov.uk Verify details? You'll need to use the forgotten username or password function of the provider which has verified your identity. See Gov.uk for more.

If you're signing into your self-assessment account for the first time and have forgotten your unique taxpayer reference number, you should be able to find it on previous tax returns or other documents from HMRC, such as payment reminders or the letter you were sent when you signed up.

If you can't find your unique reference anywhere, you can phone the self-assessment helpline on 0300 200 3310.

Can I file a paper return instead?

The deadline for filing paper returns was 31 October 2019 – so at this stage you MUST file your return online to avoid paying a penalty.

What must I pay by 31 January?

By 31 January 2020, you needed to have paid: 

  • Any tax owed from 2018/19.

  • Most will also need to pay the first half of tax owed for 2019/20. This is the first half of what's called a 'payment on account' for the 2019/20 tax year.

    It's is half the total expected tax due for 2019/20, which is estimated based on what you earned and paid in tax the previous year. So if you owed £2,000 for 2018/19, the first payment on account will be for £1,000, to be paid by 31 January 2020.

The next half (£1,000 in the example above) must be paid by 31 July 2020, and come 31 January 2021, you'll settle 2019/20's tax bill, as you're doing now for 2018/19.

If you don't think you'll earn as much money, you can ask for your payment on account to be reduced, but you'll have to give a valid reason, such as an expected drop in profits or a change in circumstances.

You only have to make payments on account if your previous year's tax came to more than £1,000. But if you've already paid more than 80% of that figure – for example, through your tax code or because your bank's deducted interest on your savings – you won't owe a payment on account.

HMRC will usually send you a self-assessment statement that shows how much you owe, or you can check your tax bill online.

How can I pay?

You can pay your tax bill by bank transfer, debit card or cheque. You can also pay at your bank or building society if you have a paying-in slip from HMRC.

HMRC accepts money under the Faster Payments system, which allows cash to go through in two hours. However, each bank has a limit on how much you can transfer under Faster Payments. The limits range from £5,000 to £100,000. See each provider's limit.

You can no longer pay the bill using a personal credit card or at the Post Office.

What if I can't afford to pay the tax?

If your bill is correct but you find you can't afford it, contact HMRC as soon as possible as you may be able to avoid late payment penalties by coming to an arrangement to spread your payments over a period of time. (Also, see our Free Tax Code Calculator to ensure you're on the right tax code).

You'll need a reasonable excuse for not paying your tax on time. This is usually something unexpected or outside your control that stopped you meeting a tax obligation, for example:

  • Your partner or another close relative died shortly before the tax return or payment deadline.
  • You had an unexpected stay in hospital that prevented you from dealing with your tax affairs.
  • You had a serious or life-threatening illness.
  • Your computer or software failed just before or while you were preparing your online return.
  • Issues with HMRC's online services.
  • A fire, flood or theft prevented you from completing your tax return.

What if I missed the deadline?

You'll be charged a £100 penalty if you fail to submit your return by the 31 January 2020 deadline – even if there's no tax to pay.

Further penalties of £10 a day are applied after three months, up to a maximum of £900. After six months, you'll get a further penalty of 5% of the tax owed or £300 (whichever is greater), which is repeated at 12 months.

There are also extra penalties for paying the tax late – these will be charged at 5% of the unpaid tax after 30 days, six months and 12 months.

The Government provides an online tool for calculating how much you'll need to pay in penalties and interest if you miss the deadlines.

Who should I contact for further advice?

The Government provides helpsheets and videos for guidance on submitting your tax return.

You can also contact HMRC for advice directly by calling the helpline on 0300 200 3310. It's open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, 8am to 4pm on Saturdays and 9am to 5pm on Sundays – though it can get very busy close to the filing deadline. You can also get general help from HMRC customer support on Twitter.

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