Registering and sending a return

You must register for Self Assessment if you have to send a tax return and you have not sent one before.

Check how to register for Self Assessment.

If you’re new to Self Assessment, you’ll need to keep records (for example bank statements or receipts) so you can fill in your tax return correctly.

You can get help filling in your return.

Once you register, you must send your Self Assessment tax return to HMRC by the deadline.

Send a return online

You can file your Self Assessment tax return online.

The deadline for sending a return online is 31 January.

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.

The deadline for sending a return using a paper form is 31 October (or 31 January if you’re a trustee of a registered pension scheme or a non-resident company).

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.