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UK Tax

Registering for the HMRC Self Assessment Tax Return

New filers should register for Self Assessment by 5th October. We talk you through how to register and next steps.

Samantha Adams

Samantha Adams

Tue Sep 27 2022

There’s only a week to go until the deadline to register for Self Assessment! Registration is a necessity for all UK individuals who need to file a tax return for 2021/22. If that’s you then get it ticked off the list before you forget! It’s free and can be done quickly online.

First-time filing a tax return?

If you’re filing your 2021/2022 taxes with HMRC for the first time, you’ll need to register by the 5th of October. The sooner you register, the sooner you can file your tax return.

2022-09-REGISTER-FOR-SELF-ASSESSMENT-BLOG-FORM

HMRC can give out fines and penalties for missing the registration and reporting deadlines. Although it is unusual for HMRC to penalise you for missing the registration deadline, leaving it too late may delay your ability to file your taxes - so its best to get it sorted asap.

What happens when you register for the first time?

Here’s what happens when you register and what to do next:

  1. You’ll receive a letter containing your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number by post within 10 days.
  2. Sign in to your personal tax account (that you created when you registered) and use your UTR number to activate your account.
  3. You’re ready to file your tax return! You can do this anytime before the deadline of 31st January.

Filed a Self Assessment before?

If you filed a tax return last year then there’s no need to register again this year! 👍

If you have filed previously but did not file last year, then you'll need to re-register online, filling in a CWF1 form. You just need your 10 digit Unique Taxpayer Reference.

Don’t need to file a tax return this year?

If you don’t need to file this year, remember to notify HMRC.

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