HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed the top five reasons why people are calling the Self Assessment helpline and reminds them that they can self-serve to quickly access the information online.
Currently, the most common reason for speaking to an HMRC advisor is about coming out of Self Assessment. 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.
The five most common reasons for calling the helpline are:
- I no longer need to complete a Self Assessment tax return
- I need to register for Self Assessment
- Can you tell me if I still have to complete a tax return?
- What’s happening with my Self Assessment registration?
- What’s happening with my Self Assessment repayment?
More than 12 million taxpayers are due to complete Self Assessment for the 2023 to 2024 tax year and pay any tax owed by the 31 January 2025 deadline. HMRC’s Self Assessment helpline and webchat services are available for those who need them but there is lots of help available online.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, 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. Just search ‘Self Assessment’ on GOV.UK to find out more and start your return today.”
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 encouraging customers to be prepared and have all the information they need ready to file their tax returns early, so they can avoid any last-minute stress and know what they owe sooner. HMRC has a range of online help and support and YouTube videos to assist anyone completing their return, including first-time filers.
Criminals use emails, phone calls and texts to try to steal information and money from taxpayers. Before sharing their personal or financial details, people should search ‘HMRC tax scams’ on GOV.UK to access a checklist to help them decide if the contact they have received is a scam
Customers should never share their HMRC login information with anyone. Someone could use them to steal from them or claim benefits or a refund in their name.
Further Information
More information on Self Assessment
A full list of anyone who may need to complete a Self Assessment tax return include those who:
- 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 any gains or income from cryptoassets
- are claiming Child Benefit and they or their partner had an income above £50,000 for the 2023 to 2024 tax year
- received interest from banks and building societies or investments (more than £10,000)
- received income from property that they own and rent out
- received dividends payments (more than £10,000)
- claim tax relief for their job expenses if more than £2,500
- need to pay Capital Gains Tax on gains of more than £6,000 (in 2023 to 2024 tax year)
The deadlines for tax returns for 2023 to 2024 tax year are 31 October 2024 for paper returns and 31 January 2025 for online returns. More than 97% of customers now file their Self Assessment tax returns online.
