Self-Assessment

21 May 2025

Useful updates from HMRC
HMRC’s latest Agent Update, which provides useful reminders on recent and upcoming changes. Whilst HMRC’s publication is aimed at accountants and tax advisers, much of its content is relevant for anyone advising clients

19 May 2025

New online interactive help for compliance checks
HMRC’s online tool to help taxpayers understand tax compliance checks

13 May 2025

HMRC reduces late payment and repayment interest rates from 28 May 2025
HMRC’s changes to payment and repayment interest rates, following the latest reduction in the base rate recently announced by the Bank of England

09 May 2025

A record number of returns filed in the first week of the new tax year
Self-assessment. 299,419 tax returns filed for the 2024/25 tax year in the first week of the new tax year

30 April 2025

Spring Tax Update
The Government’s announcements in its Tax Update Spring 2025

29 April 2025

Countdown to April 2026 launch of Making Tax Digital for income tax for sole traders and landlords
Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax. From 6 April 2026, it will be compulsory for sole traders and landlords with qualifying income in excess of £50,000 to use the MTD service to declare their income to HMRC

23 April 2025

14 April 2025

Pension planning in the 2025/26 tax year
Pension planning in the new tax year

14 April 2025

Why savers need to act now over tax due on interest
Why savers who owe tax on their savings interest for 2023/24 should contact HMRC if they have not received a letter from the tax office, to avoid the risk of fines

31 March 2025

HMRC late payment interest rates increase from 6 April 2025
HMRC’s changes to payment interest rates

31 March 2025

Better use of the data HMRC collects - new consultation
HMRC’s consultation on opportunities for improving the quality of data acquired under its bulk data gathering powers for tax administration

28 March 2025

Simplifying the ways in which penalties are calculated and applied - new consultation
HMRC’s consultation exploring options to simplify and strengthen HMRC’s behavioural penalties for inaccuracies and failures to notify

27 March 2025

Making Tax Digital extended to sole traders and landlords with income over £20,000 from April 2028
The Government’s plans to expand Making Tax Digital, exempt or defer certain taxpayer groups, improve end-of-year processes, and finalise the policy framework for penalty reform

20 March 2025

Self-assessment statistics and Making Tax Digital challenges
Why HMRC statistics show that, despite six million self-assessment returns having been filed using third-party software, involvement from the accounting profession will still be required when Making Tax Digital comes into force

20 March 2025

The CGT rate increase - new HMRC calculator
HMRC’s new calculator to work out the adjustment for self-assessment tax returns for disposals of assets on or after 30 October 2024 where the capital gains tax (CGT) rates changed

14 March 2025

HMRC helpline improvements
HMRC’s plans to improve how it deals with self-assessment and PAYE queries

13 March 2025

Up to 300,000 taxpayers will no longer be required to file a tax return
The Treasury’s plans to increase the income tax self-assessment reporting threshold for trading income, from £1,000 to £3,000 gross

12 March 2025

MTD - HMRC writing to taxpayers and their agents
MTD for Income Tax Self-Assessment (MTD ITSA), which becomes mandatory for the first taxpayers from April 2026. HMRC is writing to taxpayers and their agents to raise awareness

11 March 2025

Annual allowance carry forward and completing form SA100 - what you need to know
The process of completing form SA100

17 February 2025

Electronic invoicing - new consultation
Government consultation on electronic invoicing

11 February 2025

HMRC update re in-year 2024/25 trust and estate tax returns
HMRC’s information about filing in-year returns for trusts and estates

10 February 2025

HMRC reduces late payment and repayment interest rates
HMRC’s changes to payment and repayment interest rates, following the latest reduction in the base rate recently announced by the Bank of England

06 February 2025

Basis period reform - taxpayers awaiting overlap figures avoid late-filing penalty
How basis period reform affects unincorporated taxpayers, i.e self-employed sole traders and those trading in a partnership. Taxpayers still waiting for HMRC to provide an overlap figure have been given a reprieve from any late-filing penalties until the end of February

05 February 2025

11.5 million people filed their tax return by the 31 January deadline
Statistics on taxpayers who filed their self-assessment tax returns and a reminder of how to start for those that haven’t

29 January 2025

Improving the data HMRC collects - consultation outcome
New requirements for information about the start and end dates of relevant business activities to be included in personal returns, trustee returns, and partnership returns, and for information about directorships, close companies, and dividend income from close companies to be included in personal returns

24 January 2025

3.4 million yet to file their tax return
Statistics on taxpayers who have filed their self-assessment tax returns and a reminder of how to start for those that haven’t

20 January 2025

Extended period for issuing tax calculation letters - an update from HMRC
P800 letters, what they are, why they are being sent out late and what happens next

15 January 2025

The risks of penalties for taxpayers with no tax liability
A recent tax case where the taxpayer lost their appeal at the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) against a £1,600 late filing penalty, arguing they were unaware of their responsibility due to living abroad and having no tax liability

08 January 2025

5.4 million yet to file their tax return
Statistics on taxpayers who filed their self-assessment tax return on New Year’s day and a reminder of how to start for those that haven’t

07 January 2025

Tax relief for personal pension contributions (self-employed) - a case study
The criteria for tax relief to be given for a self-employed individual paying into a personal pension and how that tax relief works

31 December 2024

Over 40,000 people filed their tax return over the Christmas break
Statistics on taxpayers who filed their self-assessment tax return over the festive break and a reminder of how to start for those that haven’t

30 December 2024

Self-assessment and NIC reminders from HMRC
HMRC’s latest guidance, which covers Simple Assessment, basis year reform, Making Tax Digital and the best way to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions

11 December 2024

Spreading the cost of tax bills - an HMRC Press Release
HMRC's latest guidance, for taxpayers unable to pay their tax bill in full, about spreading the cost by using HMRC's Time to Pay arrangement

06 December 2024

Online platforms to start sharing some user sales and personal data with HMRC from January 2025
HMRC’s changes affecting online platforms. HMRC has issued a press release reminding people there are no changes to tax rules for people selling their unwanted possessions online