It’s 16 January. My phone hasn’t stopped ringing since New Year.
After 15 years handling self assessment tax returns for sole traders and self employed professionals, January is always the same. Half my clients sorted it in November. The other half are panicking right about now.
If that’s you don’t worry. Two weeks is enough time. But you need to start today.
Can You Actually Log In?
First things first: check if you can access your HMRC self assessment login. Right now.
Can’t remember your password? Reset it today.
Never logged in before? Call HMRC immediately. Setting up a Government Gateway account can take 10 working days because they post activation codes. If you’re in that situation, you might need professional help to fast track this.
What You Actually Need
Income records: Every invoice sent, every payment received. Your bank statements are your friend here.
Expense receipts: Office supplies, travel, equipment, software, professional memberships. If you spent it for the business and have proof, claim it.
Don’t have receipts for everything? You can estimate some expenses like mileage from your diary. But only claim what you can reasonably justify if HMRC asks.
The Expenses Most People Miss
I’ve noticed patterns over the years. Everyone claims the obvious stuff laptop, phone, travel. But people consistently forget:
- Professional insurance
- Training courses and certifications
- Trade subscriptions
- Website hosting
- Business bank fees
- Mileage between client sites (45p per mile adds up fast)
- Home office expenses (£6/week simplified rate = £312/year)
The Payment Bit That Confuses Everyone
31 January isn’t just the filing deadline it’s when payment is due.
If this is your first return, you just pay what you owe. Done.
If you’ve filed before, you’re also paying your first “payment on account” for next year. This catches people out every single time.
HMRC assumes you’ll earn roughly the same next year, so they make you pay half your estimated tax bill now and half in July. When you file next year’s return, you settle up any difference.
Miss the deadline? £100 penalty immediately, even if you don’t owe any tax. Plus interest and additional penalties for late payment.
When to Get Professional Help
If your affairs are straightforward simple income and expenses, maybe 20 30 transactions monthly you can probably manage yourself.
But if you’re staring at messy records, multiple income streams, or just feeling overwhelmed: get help.
Working with ACCA qualified accountants means you’re dealing with professionals who maintain ongoing training and know the system inside out. We usually find missed expenses that more than cover our fees. Plus, we keep you out of trouble with HMRC.
Common Mistakes I See Every Year
- Not keeping receipts, then claiming expenses anyway
- Forgetting about payments on account
- Claiming personal expenses as business costs
- Leaving it until 30 January (the system crashes under load)
- Rushing and making data entry errors
Your Action Plan
Today: Check you can log in
This weekend: Gather all your records
Next week: Fill in your return carefully
By 28 January: Submit and pay (give yourself a buffer)
Two weeks is manageable if you start now.
Need help getting this done? At TaxGuru, we’re filing returns right up until 31 January. We’ve handled thousands of self assessment tax returns over 15 years, and we know exactly how to get this sorted quickly and correctly.
Don’t risk penalties or overpaying tax. Get in touch today.
What’s your biggest self assessment headache? Drop a comment I’ve probably dealt with it before.
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