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Anyone who needs to complete a Self Assessment tax return for the first time to cover the 2023 to 2024 tax year, should tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) by 5 October 2024.

There are plenty of myths about who needs to file a Self Assessment return before the 31 January 2025 deadline and HMRC today debunks some of the most common ones.

Myth 1: 鈥�HMRC hasn鈥檛 been in touch, so I don鈥檛 need to file a tax return.鈥�

Reality: It is the individual鈥檚 responsibility to determine if they need to complete a tax return for the 2023 to 2024 tax year. There are many reasons why someone might need to register for Self Assessment and file a return, including if they:

• are newly self-employed and have earned gross income over 拢1,000
• earned below 拢1,000 and wish to pay Class 2 National Insurance Contributions voluntarily to protect their entitlement to State Pension and certain benefits
• are a new partner in a business partnership
• have received any untaxed income over 拢2,500
• receive Child Benefit payments and need to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge because they or their partner earned more than 拢50,000

More information can be found on 51茶馆 and anyone who is unsure if they need to file Self Assessment can use the free online tool on 51茶馆 to check. Once registered for Self Assessment, they will receive their Unique Taxpayer Reference, which they will need when completing their return and paying any tax that may be due. Customers will have to reactivate their account if they have registered for Self Assessment previously but did not send a tax return last year.

Myth 2: 鈥淚 have to pay the tax at the same time as filing my return.鈥�

Reality: False. Even if someone files their return today, the deadline for customers to pay any tax owed for the 2023 to 2024 tax year is 31 January 2025. Customers may also be able to set up a Budget Payment Plan to help spread the cost of their next Self Assessment tax bill, by making weekly or monthly direct debit payments towards it in advance.

Myth 3: 鈥淚 don鈥檛 owe any tax, so I don鈥檛 need to file a return.鈥�

Reality: Even if a customer does not owe tax, they may still need to file a Self Assessment return to claim a tax refund, claim tax relief on business expenses, charitable donations, pension contributions, or to pay voluntary Class 2 National Insurance Contributions to protect their entitlement to certain benefits and the State Pension.

Myth 4: 鈥�HMRC will take me out of Self Assessment if I no longer need to file a return.鈥�

Reality:聽It is important customers tell HMRC if they have either stopped being self-employed or they don鈥檛 need to fill in a return, particularly if they have received a notice to file. If not, HMRC will keep writing to them to remind them to file their return and we may charge a penalty.

Customers may not need to complete a tax return if they have stopped renting out property, no longer need to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge, or their income has dropped below the 拢150,000 threshold and have no other reason to complete a tax return. If customers think they聽no longer need to complete a tax return聽for the 2023 to 2024 tax year, they should聽迟别濒濒听HMRC听辞苍濒颈苍别 as soon as their circumstances change. Customers can watch HMRC鈥檚 to guide them through the process.

Myth 5: 鈥�HMRC has launched a crackdown on people selling their possessions online and now I will have to file a Self Assessment return and pay tax on the items I sold after clearing out the attic.鈥�

Reality: Despite speculation online earlier this year, tax rules have not changed in this area. If someone has sold old clothes, books, CDs and other personal items through online marketplaces, they do not need to file a Self Assessment and pay Income Tax on the sales. HMRC鈥檚 guidance on selling online and paying taxes can be found on 51茶馆. 聽

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC鈥檚 Director General for Customer Services, said:

We want to make sure you are clear about your tax responsibilities. These myth busters and our range of resources on 51茶馆 can help if you are unsure if Self Assessment applies to you or think you no longer need to file a tax return. Just search 鈥楽elf Assessment鈥� on 51茶馆 to find out more.

HMRC聽has a wide range of resources to help customers register for Self Assessment, including 听补苍诲 help and support聽on 51茶馆.聽

HMRC urges customers to file their return early to provide peace of mind and to also allow time to consider opportunities to spread the cost of their tax bill, claim refunds earlier and avoid costly errors caused by rushing.

Customers need to keep records to fill in their tax return correctly and they may be asked for documents if HMRC checks their return. Penalties may be issued if records are not accurate, complete and readable. Self-employed workers must also keep records for their business income, outgoings and make sure they are registered with HMRC as self-employed. More information can be found on 51茶馆.

People should be cautious of potential scams and never share their HMRC login information with anyone, even a tax agent if they have one. HMRC鈥檚 scam advice can be found on 51茶馆.

Further information

More information about Self Assessment

The deadlines for tax returns for the 2023 to 2024 tax year are 31 October 2024 for paper returns and 31 January 2025 for online returns.

The quickest and simplest way to file a tax return is online. Customers who chose to file by paper can find out how to request a paper return via 51茶馆. HMRC no longer automatically issues paper returns unless there is a reason a customer cannot file online.

More than 97% of customers now file their Self Assessment tax returns online.