Self Assessment tax returns
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:
- find out what you owe
- can budget - if you want to make weekly or monthly payments
- have time to pay your bill by 31 January
- can set up a payment plan, if you do not think you can pay on time
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’)