Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We’ve answered the most common ones about our services, packages, and how everything works.
General Questions
Everything you need to know about how Sorted works, who we are, and how we make tax simple. From turnaround times to security and support — it’s all here.
Is my data secure and GDPR-compliant?
Yes. We're fully GDPR-compliant and take data security seriously. Your documents are uploaded through a secure portal, your personal information is never shared with third parties without your consent, and we hold and process your data in line with UK data protection law.
If you have a specific question about how your data is handled, you can reach our data protection team at dpo@sorted.tax.
Are your fees fixed, or are there hidden charges?
Yes, completely fixed.
Self Assessment Tax Return: £149 for a Simple Return (UK income including employment, freelance, rental, or dividends) or £199 for an Advanced Return (crypto, foreign income, RSUs, share schemes, or multiple income sources).
CGT on UK Property: £299 for a Solo filing (one owner), £449 for a Joint filing (two owners, such as a couple selling together), or £598 for a Trio filing (three owners). All CGT options include a full gain calculation, relief checks, and filing with HMRC within the 60-day window.
Not sure which tier applies to you? Message us on live chat and we'll confirm before you pay anything.
How do I know which service I need?
Our intake form is designed to guide you to the right service based on your situation. If you're still not sure after completing it, message us on live chat and we'll confirm which service fits before you pay anything.
How long does it take to get my return filed?
Most returns are completed within 3 working days of us receiving all the information we need. If your situation is time-sensitive, let us know via live chat and we'll prioritise it.
Tax Return
Got questions about filing a Self Assessment tax return? Whether you’re self-employed, earning extra income, or just unsure where to start — we’ve got you covered.
Do I need to register with HMRC every year?
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.
Do I need to register with HMRC before filing, and what is the deadline?
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.
What's the difference between PAYE and Self Assessment?
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.
HMRC has sent me a notice to file but I don't think I need to. What do I do?
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.
CGT
Selling a UK property? Learn what the 60-day Capital Gains Tax rule means, who needs to file, and how Sorted makes the whole process fast, accurate, and fully hands-off.
What do I actually pay Capital Gains Tax on?
Capital Gains Tax applies when you sell or dispose of an asset that has increased in value. The main ones are:
- Residential property that isn't your main home (second homes, buy-to-lets, inherited property)
- Shares and investment funds held outside an ISA
- Cryptocurrency
- Business assets including goodwill
- Personal possessions worth more than £6,000, such as jewellery or art
Assets that are exempt include your main home (in most cases), anything held inside a Stocks and Shares ISA, your car, and UK government bonds (gilts).
The gain is calculated as the sale price minus the original purchase price and any allowable costs such as legal fees or improvements.
Do I pay Capital Gains Tax when I sell my main home?
Usually not, if it was your main home for the entire time you owned it. Private Residence Relief (PRR) exempts the gain from CGT in that case, and you wouldn't normally need to report the sale to HMRC either.
However, CGT can apply — or PRR can be reduced — in these situations:
- You let the property out at any point during your ownership
- You used part of the property solely for business (not just occasional home working)
- The property wasn't your main home for the entire ownership period
- The garden or grounds are very large (over half a hectare)
In these cases, part of the gain may still be exempt, but you'll need to calculate how much.
If you're unsure whether your sale triggers a reporting requirement, message us on live chat.