Associated Services
Get In Touch
Self Assessment Tax Returns for Individuals
Accurate personal tax returns filed on time, so you pay exactly what you owe and nothing more.
If you’re self-employed, a company director, a landlord, or simply have income HMRC doesn’t automatically tax at source, you’ll need to file a Self Assessment tax return each year. Getting it right, and in on time, avoids automatic penalties and interest, and often means paying less tax than you would by muddling through alone. At Durhams Accountants we prepare personal tax returns for individuals across Wakefield, Yorkshire and the wider UK, making sure every allowance and relief you’re entitled to is claimed, and that your return is filed well ahead of the 31 January deadline.
Who Needs to File a Self Assessment Return?
You’ll usually need to file a return if you’re self-employed with income over £1,000, a company director, a landlord receiving rental income, or someone with significant savings, investment or dividend income. It also applies if you’ve received Child Benefit and your or your partner’s income is over the relevant threshold, if you have foreign income, or if you’ve made a capital gain that needs reporting. If you’re unsure whether you need to file, it’s worth checking rather than assuming, since HMRC can charge penalties for failing to register even if no tax is ultimately due.
Key Deadlines and Payments on Account
The tax year runs to 5 April, with online returns due by 31 January the following year and paper returns due earlier, by 31 October. Many self-employed individuals also make payments on account towards the next year’s tax bill, due on 31 January and 31 July, which can catch people out if they’re not expecting them. Miss the 31 January filing deadline and HMRC charges an automatic £100 penalty, even if you owe no tax, with further penalties building up the longer a return remains outstanding.
Making Sure You Don't Overpay
A surprising amount of tax paid by individuals each year is tax that didn’t need to be paid at all, simply because an allowance, expense or relief wasn’t claimed. We review your full financial picture, not just the figures you send us, to make sure things like pension contributions, marriage allowance, gift aid donations and allowable expenses are all properly accounted for. For anyone with more complex affairs, such as multiple income sources or overseas assets, this review is where real value gets added, well beyond simply completing the form.
Our Process: How We Prepare Your Self Assessment Return
1
Gather your information
You send us your income, expenses and any paperwork, or we chase up what’s missing.
2
Review for allowances
We check every relief and allowance you’re entitled to before preparing figures.
3
Prepare your return
We complete your Self Assessment return and calculate what you owe or are due back.
4
Review together
We talk you through the figures so there are no surprises before anything is submitted.
5
File ahead of deadline
We submit your return to HMRC well before 31 January, with confirmation for your records.
Switching Accountants Made Simple
Many clients come to us partway through the tax year, often after a frustrating experience with a previous accountant who was slow, hard to reach, or simply too expensive for what they delivered. Switching is far simpler than most people expect, and you don’t need to wait until the new tax year to move. We request your tax records and prior year returns on your behalf, review your position, and pick up exactly where you left off, with no disruption to your filing deadline.
Why Choose Durhams Accountants
Personal tax can feel like a chore, or it can be an opportunity to make sure you’re organised and paying only what you owe. We take the time to understand your full financial picture, explain your return in plain English rather than tax jargon, and file well ahead of deadlines so you’re never rushing at the end of January. Based in Wakefield and working with individuals across Yorkshire and the UK, we combine qualified technical knowledge with a genuinely personal, approachable service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register for Self Assessment before I can file?
Yes, if it’s your first return you’ll need to register with HMRC first, which can take a few weeks to process, so it’s worth doing this earlier rather than closer to the deadline.
What happens if I miss the 31 January deadline?
HMRC charges an automatic £100 penalty for being even one day late, with further penalties and interest building up the longer the return remains outstanding.
What records do I need to provide you with?
This depends on your circumstances, but typically includes income details, bank interest, dividend vouchers, rental income and expenses, and records of any self-employed income and costs.
Can you help if I have income from property or investments?
Yes, we regularly prepare returns covering rental income, dividends, savings interest and capital gains alongside employment or self-employment income.
I've never filed a tax return before - can you help me get set up?
Yes, we handle the HMRC registration process for you and make sure everything is in place well before your first filing deadline.
How much does a Self Assessment return cost?
Pricing depends on the complexity of your income sources. We agree a fixed fee in advance once we understand your circumstances, so there are no surprises.
Don't leave your tax return until January
Get in touch now for a no-obligation quote, or use the form alongside this page.