Sending a return

You can send a tax return by either: 

  • submitting an online return  
  • sending a paper return 

You can get help filling in your return

When to send your tax return 

Check the filing deadlines. The deadline for sending a paper return is before the deadline for an online return. 

You can send your return any time after 5 April. Sending it earlier means you: 

Submit an online return  

You can file your Self Assessment tax return online.

Send a paper return 

If you need a paper copy of the main Self Assessment tax return you can: 

If you need to send a tax return for trustees of a registered pension, you must download form SA970

You can download all other forms and supplementary pages

After sending your paper return, you can check when to expect a reply from HMRC

Use commercial software to send a return 

You can use commercial software: 

  • for a partnership 
  • for a trust and estate 
  • if you get income from a trust 
  • if you lived abroad as a non-resident 
  • if you’re a Lloyd’s underwriter 
  • if you’re a religious minister 
  • to report profits made on selling or disposing of more than one asset (‘chargeable gains’) 

Find a commercial software supplier.