Frequently Asked Questions

HMRC usually posts your UTR within 10 working days of registering, or up to 21 days if you're based overseas.

After that, you'll receive a separate activation code for your online HMRC account, which can take a few more days.

Because you need your UTR before we can file on your behalf, it's worth registering as early as possible — ideally well before the October registration deadline.

If your UTR is taking longer than expected, you can call HMRC's Self Assessment helpline to follow up.

A UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) is a 10-digit number that HMRC uses to identify you in the Self Assessment system. You get one when you register, and it stays the same for the rest of your life.

You need your UTR to:

• File your Self Assessment return
• Contact HMRC about your tax affairs
• Appoint an accountant to act on your behalf

To register and get a UTR, go to GOV.UK and search 'register for Self Assessment'. Once registered, HMRC sends your UTR by post within about 10 working days.

It depends on why you're registering.

Use the CWF1 form if you're self-employed as a sole trader — this also registers you for Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance at the same time.

Use the SA1 form if you need to file for other reasons, such as rental income, Capital Gains Tax, the High Income Child Benefit Charge, or dividend income.

If you're registering online via the HMRC website, the system asks a few questions and routes you to the right form automatically.

If you're unsure, message us on live chat.

Yes. If you're self-employed, you can download and post form CWF1. If you have other untaxed income (rental, dividends, capital gains), use form SA1 instead. Both are available on GOV.UK.

That said, the online route through the HMRC website is faster and means you'll get your UTR more quickly.

If you're not sure which form applies to you, message us on live chat.

Here's what we typically need to calculate and file your CGT return:

• Your completion statement from your solicitor (this shows the sale price and any deductions at completion)
• Your original purchase completion statement showing what you paid and any associated costs at the time
• Receipts or records of any capital improvements made to the property during your ownership (extensions, loft conversions, new kitchens — general maintenance doesn't count)
• Details of how the property was used over your ownership period (main home, rented out, vacant, shared use)
• If it was let at any point, approximate dates and rental income figures

You don't need to have everything perfectly organised before getting in touch. Fill in our CGT form with what you have and we'll tell you exactly what else we need.

They're separate obligations, and both may be required.

The 60-day CGT return is a standalone filing that must be done within 60 days of completion — it's not part of your annual Self Assessment return.

If you already file Self Assessment, you'll also need to declare the gain on your annual return for the tax year the sale took place in, even though you've already reported it via the 60-day return. The tax itself is paid via the 60-day return; the Self Assessment entry reconciles it for the full year.

It sounds like double admin, but we handle both as part of our service. If you need a CGT return plus a Self Assessment return for the same year, message us on live chat and we'll work out the best way to handle everything together.

Yes, you can still file — and you should do so as soon as possible.

HMRC will charge a late filing penalty automatically once the 60-day window has passed, and interest accrues on any unpaid tax. But the longer you wait, the more these charges build up.

Filing late is always better than not filing at all. HMRC may also consider the circumstances of the delay when deciding whether to pursue further action.

Message us on live chat right away and we'll file as quickly as possible to stop anything else building up.

The 60-day clock starts from the completion date, not the exchange of contracts.

Completion is the day the sale legally finalises — when the money changes hands and the keys are handed over. Exchange can happen weeks before this, but it doesn't start the clock.

It's 60 calendar days from completion, including weekends and bank holidays. For example, if your property completed on 1 July, your deadline would be 29 August.

Don't leave it close to the deadline — we need time to gather the information and file on your behalf. Message us on live chat as soon as completion happens.