HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging the millions who need to file a self-assessment for the 2023/24 tax year to use its online support system.
An astonishing figure of over 12 million taxpayers must submit their online Self Assessment by January 31, 2025.
For those opting to send a paper tax return, documents should reach HMRC no later than October 31, 2024.
Although HMRC‘s Self Assessment helpline and webchat are on hand for assistance, a wealth of information is also accessible directly online.
Currently, the most common reason for speaking to an HMRC advisor is about coming out of Self Assessment.
The tax body has clarified that customers don’t need to call HMRC and can instead visit GOV.UK to check if they need to send a Self Assessment tax return. If they no longer need to send one, they can use the online service to tell HMRC without the need to speak to an advisor.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s chief customer officer, said: “We want to help customers get their tax returns right first time which is why we have produced a wealth of online resources and guidance to support them every step of the way.”
Anyone new to Self Assessment needs to register to receive their Unique Taxpayer Reference before they can send a tax return for the 2023 to 2024 tax year.
Taxpayers may need to complete a tax return, even if they pay taxes through PAYE, for example, if they:
- Are self-employed and have earned gross income over £1,000
- Are self-employed and earned up to £1,000 and wish to pay Class 2 NICs voluntarily to protect their entitlement to State Pension and certain benefits
- Are a partner in a business partnership
- Had a total taxable income of more than £150,000
- Have received any untaxed income including pension income over £2,500
- Received income over £1,000 from trading or providing services online
- Have to pay the High Income Child Benefit charge
- Received interest from banks and building societies or investments (more than £10,000)
- Received rental or letting income from UK land and property.
HMRC is urging individuals to be organised and have all the necessary information at hand to submit their tax returns early, so they can avoid any last-minute stress and know what they owe sooner.
HMRC provides a variety of online assistance and YouTube videos to help anyone completing their return, including those doing so for the first time.
The tax body has also urged Britons to be wary of scammers. Criminals utilise emails, phone calls, and texts to attempt to extract information and money from taxpayers. Before divulging personal or financial details, people are advised to look up ‘HMRC tax scams’ on GOV.UK to access a checklist to help them determine if the contact they’ve received is fraudulent.
Those submitting a Self-assessment are also being cautioned not to share their HMRC login details with anyone, as this could be used to steal from them or claim benefits or a refund in their name.
