Frequently Asked Questions

No. Once you're registered, your UTR stays the same and you just file a new return each year.

You don't need to do anything differently from year to year in terms of setup. The only exception is if your circumstances change and you no longer need to file — in that case you should contact HMRC to ask them to remove you from Self Assessment, otherwise they'll continue to expect a return from you each year.

If this is your first time filing Self Assessment, yes — you need to register with HMRC before you can file.

The deadline to register is 5 October following the end of the tax year you're reporting. For the 2025/26 tax year (which ended 5 April 2026), that means registering by 5 October 2026.

Once registered, HMRC sends you a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number by post, which you need before you can file.

If you haven't registered yet, it's worth doing as early as possible to avoid delays. Message us on live chat and we can guide you through it, or book a call with us if you'd prefer to talk it through.

PAYE (Pay As You Earn) is the system your employer uses to deduct income tax and National Insurance from your wages before you're paid. You never have to do anything — it happens automatically.

Self Assessment is how you report income that PAYE doesn't cover, such as freelance work, rental income, dividends, or capital gains.

Some people only ever use PAYE. Others use both. If you have income from multiple sources or anything outside of employment, Self Assessment is how you tell HMRC about it.

Don't ignore it. A notice to file is a legal requirement, and if you miss the deadline the automatic £100 penalty applies even if you end up owing nothing.

Contact HMRC and ask them to withdraw the notice — you can do this by phone or post, explaining why you don't believe you need to file. HMRC will confirm in writing if they agree to remove it. Until you get that confirmation, the return is still due.

If you're unsure how to approach it, message us on live chat and we can advise.

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.