Do I have to send in a self-assessment tax return?
If you have been sent a paper tax return, or a Notice to Complete a Tax Return, then you must complete this and send it in.

I don't usually have to complete a tax return, but I had a new source of income during the year, should I tell the Inland Revenue?
If you have a new source of income during the year, then you must inform the tax office by 6th October. You may well be asked to complete a tax return, or they may adjust your tax code.

What is the deadline for submitting my tax return?
For paper tax returns the deadline this year is 31st October. For online filing the deadline is 31st January.

What happens if I can't pay my tax by the deadline?
The tax office will charge you interest for tax paid late. You will also have to pay a surcharge of 5% of the unpaid tax if it is still not paid by 28th February. A further 5% will be chargeable if the tax is still unpaid after six months. A new regime is coming in for payments due by 31st January 2012 which are paid late.  Click here for more information if you are having trouble paying your tax.

Do I have to calculate my own tax?
If you are submitting a paper return and you want the tax office to calculate your tax you should submit your return by 31st October.

What if I am late filing my tax return?
If you are late filing your tax return, then the tax office will impose a £100 fine. There will be a further £100 fine after six months.

I am afraid my tax return will be late, but I know I will have tax to pay, what should I do?
The deadline for tax payments is 31st January. To avoid paying interest and penalties you should try and pay your tax on time, even if you have to estimate the amount of tax to be paid.

I have heard that penalties are limited to the amount of tax you pay, and if you owe no tax then the penalty are reduced to zero.  Is this going to continue?

For tax returns due to be filed by 31st January 2012 the penalties will no longer be capped.  You will have to pay the penalty for a late tax return even if there is no tax to pay.

Can I get any tax owing collected through my PAYE code?
If the tax you owe is less than £2000 this can be collected through your tax code if you submit your paper tax return by 31st October. Online tax returns have to be submitted by 30th December.

What is the deadline for paying my tax?
The deadline is 31st January after the relevant tax year end.

I am expecting a tax refund, when will I get this?
The Inland Revenue will issue your refund as soon as they have processed the return. It has been shown that refunds are often received much more quickly when the tax return is filed on-line.

Why do I have to pay payments on account?
While employees have tax deducted at source, some taxpayers do not – eg. self-employed people. Therefore it is considered fairer if those taxpayers should pay payments on account towards the tax payable on the following 31st January.

How are the payments on account calculated?
The Inland Revenue assumes that you will earn a similar amount from year to year, therefore the payments on account are set at your tax liability for the previous year, payable in two equal instalments.

When are payments on account paid?
The two instalments are paid by January 31st in the year of assessment, and July 31st in the following year.

What happens if my payments on account do not cover my tax owing at 31st January?
If your tax bill is more than you have paid in your payments on account then you will have a balance to pay by 31st January. You may also find that your next payments on account have risen as well.

But if my tax bill is lower than the payments on account I have made during the year?
If you have paid too much tax you will get a tax refund. However you may still have to pay your next payments on account, though these might be lower.

If I have to pay payments on account which are based on last year’s tax, what happens if I don’t earn as much this year?
If you know that your tax bill will be lower than the previous year, then you can claim to reduce your payments on account. However, if you reduce your payments on account by too much, interest will be payable.

How do I pay my income tax?
You can pay through your own online banking system, or by debit or credit card through the tax office website – go to the BillPay page. If you are paying by post send to the Accounts Office, Shipley. Remember to enclose your payslip and note your name and address and tax reference number on the back of the cheque. Click here for more information about how to pay your tax.

Can I fax or scan/email my information to you?
Yes you can send your information to us by email, fax or post.

Can I pay Click4tax by credit card?
We send out requests for payment directly from PayPal, in case you wish to pay by debit or credit card. We are also happy to take payment by cheque.

Can you send me an electronic version of my tax return to check?
We normally send out tax returns in PDF format for you to check, but we can post your paper tax return to you if you prefer.

I am late with my previous year’s tax return, can you help to bring me up to date?
Yes we can help you with your late tax returns and bring you up to date.

I am a doctor working for the NHS. Can you help me claim tax relief for expenses?
Yes we can help doctors and any other employees claim tax relief for expenses necessarily incurred for their employment.

I am a resident in the UK but not a UK citizen. Can you help me with my remittance basis claim?
We are indeed able to help foreign nationals with their remittance basis claims.

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