PMA Business Services Ltd

Self Assessment Tax

Whether you are a sole trader, a partner or director in a business, or a self employed sub-contractor, you are required to submit a Self Assessment return each year.
For many people it can seem daunting, and the ‘brown envelope syndrome’ kicks in. “It’s a brown envelope……so…….maybe I’ll deal with it later…… when I’m not too busy”

For many, the inevitable happens. The deadline is overlooked, and HMRC’s savage penalties automatically arise. Before long the amount owed is far greater than the original tax.

We’ll give you total peace of mind and take the pressure from you by dealing with your Self Assessment Tax Return for you each year.

We’ll simply ask you for all your receipts and invoices for your expenses and income (clients often bring them in a carrier bag or shoe box). We’ll then quickly work out your profit (or loss) and your tax liability and make sure your Self Assessment is submitted on time.

Quite often we are asked to deal with previous years that have been overlooked and where penalties have arisen. We are usually able to negotiate with HMRC to agree a payment plan.

We’re also very good at identifying situations where a tax refund may be due.

Do I need to submit a Self Assessment return?

These are the most common reasons for needing to fill in a tax return:

 

You are self-employed or a partner in a partnership

You need to complete a tax return even if you make a loss or if it’s your final year of trading.

You are a company director, a minister of any faith, Lloyd’s name or member

The only exception is if you’re a director of a non-profit organisation, for example a charity, and don’t receive any payments or benefits)

Your annual income is £100,000 or more

If you receive total income of £100,000 or more you’ll need to complete a tax return. You may have higher or additional rate tax to pay that hasn’t been collected through your tax code.

You have income from savings, investment or property

If you are an employee or a pensioner and already pay tax through a PAYE code, you can sometimes ask for tax that you owe on income, such as savings and property, to be collected through your code number. You’ll need to complete a tax return instead if the income you receive is:

  • £10,000 or more from taxed savings and investments
  • £2,500 or more from untaxed savings and investments
  • £10,000 or more from property (before deducting allowable expenses)
  • £2,500 or more from property (after deducting allowable expenses)

If you don’t pay tax through a PAYE code you’ll need to complete a tax return if all of the following apply:

  • you have income to declare, for example income from savings, trusts or abroad, rental income from land or property
  • your total income exceeds your total allowances and reliefs
  • you have tax to pay on this income

You need to claim expenses or reliefs

If you’re employed and want to claim expenses or professional subscriptions of £2,500 or more, you’ll need to complete a tax return. If you want to claim expenses below this amount, you can contact HMRC.

You can only claim certain reliefs, such as Enterprise Investment Scheme relief or relief on Venture Capital Trusts, by completing a tax return.

You or your partner receive Child Benefit and your income is over £50,000

The new High Income Child Benefit tax charge, introduced on 7 January 2013, may mean you need to complete a Self Assessment tax return for the first time. You must complete a tax return if all of the following apply:

  • your income is over £50,000 a year
  • you live with a partner and your income is higher than theirs
  • you or your partner are entitled to receive Child Benefit (or get an equivalent amount from someone who claims Child Benefit for a child who lives with you)
  • you jointly decide to keep receiving Child Benefit and pay the new tax charge

You are 65 and receive a reduced age-related allowance

If you receive a reduced age-related allowance, you’ll usually need to complete a return if your income is over a certain level (£24,000 for the 2011-12 tax year, and £25,400 for the 2012-13 tax year). But there are exceptions, for example if your tax affairs are very straightforward.

You get income from overseas

You must complete a tax return if you have any foreign income that’s liable to UK tax.

You have income from trusts, settlements and estates

You must complete a return if you receive income (or are treated as receiving income) on which tax is still due, for example from:

  • annual trusts or settlements
  • the estate of a deceased person

You have Capital Gains Tax to pay

If you have Capital Gains Tax to pay, for example you’ve sold, given away or otherwise disposed of an asset such as a holiday home or shares, you’ll need to complete a tax return and the Capital Gains Tax pages.

You’ve lived or worked abroad or aren’t domiciled in the UK

You may need to complete a tax return if you’re:

  • not resident in the UK
  • not ordinarily resident in the UK
  • not domiciled in the UK and claim the ‘remittance basis’
  • dual resident of the UK and another country

You are a trustee

You will need to complete a tax return if you are

  • a trustee or personal representative (including someone who manages the tax affairs of a deceased person)
  • a trustee of certain pension schemes