Can I Do My Own Tax Return?

Many people wonder, can I do my own tax return? The answer is yes, you can absolutely do it yourself. Many people across the UK file their own Self Assessment tax return every year without needing an accountant. If your finances are straightforward, it is often easier than you think to make your own tax return online.

The real question, however, is “Should I?”

Because some situations are more complex. If you have multiple income streams, rental properties, or complicated expenses, you might wonder, “Do I need an accountant for Self Assessment?” Well, that entirely depends on how confident you feel.

This guide will break down everything you need to know about filing your own tax return, including:

• How do I file my own tax return?
• Can I do my own tax return without an accountant?
• When do I need to do my tax return?
• And much more…

Let’s get into it!

Is It Difficult To Do Your Own Tax Return?

To be honest, it’s about being organised rather than being a genius. As long as you are prepared with all of your numbers, then filling in the actual form itself will involve little more than selecting appropriate boxes and entering totals. The online smart forms used by HMRC also automatically bypass questions that don’t apply to you.

It is normally the fear of making an error which causes most people difficulties. So for those who keep good records during the course of the year, the answer to “Can I do my own tax return?” is probably still a resounding yes.

The software will do all of the heavy lifting required to calculate how much you actually owe.

Hence, you should do it yourself if:

• You have a single source of self-employed income.
• You are claiming standard “allowable expenses” (like office costs or travel).
• You are comfortable using an online portal and keeping basic spreadsheets.

Can I Do My Own Tax Return Without An Accountant?

If you’re wondering, “Do I need an accountant for self assessment?” Well, you do not legally need one. You can submit your tax return entirely on your own. However, many people choose to hire a professional once their income reaches a certain level or if they start a Limited Company.

If you are just starting as a sole trader, you might find that the cost of an accountant is an extra expense you don’t need yet. But, if you find yourself staring at the screen for hours, feeling stressed, or if you aren’t sure which expenses are legal to claim. This is where the experience and knowledge of a qualified professional will help you add significant value.

But for a standard self-employment setup? You can save those fees and do it yourself.

You should hire an accountant for self assessment if:

• You operate as a Limited Company.
• You have complex capital gains (e.g., selling multiple properties or large crypto portfolios).
• You have residency/domicile status issues (living abroad).

How Do I File My Own Tax Return?

Filing your own tax return in the UK is a structured process that can be completed directly via GOV.UK.

For the 2025/26 tax year (ending 5 April 2026), most individuals can still use the standard online portal. However, from 6 April 2026, high earners with self-employment or property income over £50,000 will be required to use MTD-compatible software.

1. Register for Self Assessment

If you are new to Self Assessment and earned income during the 2025/26 tax year, you must register with HMRC by 5 October 2026.

• Registration: Apply through the HMRC Self Assessment registration page.
• Identification: HMRC will issue you a 10-digit Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) by post, which can take up to 15 working days. However, you can usually find it sooner via the HMRC app or your Personal Tax Account on GOV.UK.
• Online Access: Create a Government Gateway ID and password, then use your UTR to activate the Self Assessment service within your account.

2. Gather Essential Documents  for Filing own tax return

Collect all records covering your accounting period. For example, from 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026, getting everything together first makes the actual filing much less stressful.

If you’re wondering, “What do I need to submit my own tax return?” Here’s a simple “pre‑flight” checklist.

Personal details

• National Insurance number.
• Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR).
• Government Gateway user ID and password (or HMRC online services login).

Income records

• P60 (and P45 if you changed jobs) from employers.
• Self‑employment income records (invoices, sales reports, bank statements).
• Rental statements and mortgage interest details for properties.
• Dividend vouchers and bank interest statements.
• Any foreign income or gains paperwork.

Expense and relief records

• Business expenses receipts (software, phone, travel, equipment, marketing, etc.).
• Home‑working cost records if you work from home.
• Pension contributions, Gift Aid donations, and other reliefs.

3. Choose Your Filing Method

Method	Deadline	Key Details
Online Portal	31 January 2027	Easiest for most; calculates tax automatically.
Paper (SA100)	31 October 2026	Must be mailed earlier; you must manually calculate tax.
MTD Software	Optional for 2025/26	Mandatory from 6 April 2026 for those whose qualifying income exceeded £50,000 in the 2024/25 tax year.

4. Complete and Submit

• Log In: Sign in to your HMRC online account.
• System Prompts: The online form is interactive and will remove sections that are not relevant to you based on your answers.
• Save Progress: You do not have to finish in one sitting; you can save your progress and return later.
• Final Review: Double-check all figures. Once you click “submit,” you will receive an immediate confirmation and a view of your total tax bill.

I’ve Hit Submit – Now What?

Once you have clicked that final button and sent your details off to HMRC, the journey is not quite over.

After hitting submit on your UK Self Assessment tax return, the immediate next steps involve confirming your receipt and paying any tax owed by the 31 January deadline. You must also make sure to keep records of your submission. HMRC will process the return to calculate the final amount owed or any refund due.

Here is a step-by-step what to do next:

1. Confirm Submission and Save Records

• Get Your Receipt: You will receive a confirmation message and a submission receipt ID on screen. Keep a copy of this receipt (screenshot or print) as proof of filing.
• Check for Email: HMRC usually sends an email confirming receipt (if an email address is on file).
• Download/Print Return: Download a copy of your submitted return for your records.

2. Check for “Pending” Status

• It can take up to 72 hours (3 days) for the submission to appear in your HMRC online account.
• You can check the status via your HMRC online account or the HMRC App to see if it has been received and processed.

3. Pay Your Tax Bill

• Deadline: Even if you submitted early, the deadline to pay any tax owed is 31 January.
• Methods: You can pay via bank transfer, debit card, or Direct Debit.
• Budget Payment Plan: You can set up a plan to make regular payments to help manage your finances.

4. If You Are Due a Refund

• HMRC aims to pay refunds within 5 working days if you’ve claimed tax refund online. If you request a cheque, it can take up to 6 weeks.
• Refunds are usually automatic if you include your bank details on your tax return. If you leave them out, you must manually log in to your account to ‘Request a repayment’.

5. If You Made a Mistake

• You have 12 months from the original filing deadline to amend your tax return.
• You can make corrections online, but you must wait 3 days (72 hours) after filing before updating it.

6. Keep Your Records

• Keep your records (bank statements, receipts, invoices), as HMRC may ask for them. Here are record keeping requirements:

Taxpayer Status	Retention Period	Example for 2025/26 Tax Year
Self-Employed / Partners	5 years after the 31 Jan deadline	Keep until 31 Jan 2032
Individuals (Not in business)	22 months after the tax year ends	Keep until 31 Jan 2028
Limited Companies	6 years from the end of the accounting period	Keep for at least 6 years

Important: If your total gross income from self-employment and property was over £50,000 in the 2024/25 tax year, you must switch to Making Tax Digital (MTD) compatible software starting 6 April 2026. This replaces your single annual return with quarterly digital updates and a final declaration.

When Do I Need To Do My Tax Return?

Timing is everything when you want to submit your own tax return. The UK tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April the following year.

Here are the dates you cannot afford to miss:

Deadline Type	Important Date
Paper Return Deadline	31 October
Online Return Deadline	31 January
Final Payment Deadline	31 January
Second Payment on Account	31 July

If you miss that January deadline, HMRC will give you an immediate £100 fine, even if you do not actually owe any tax.

What are The Pros and Cons of Doing Your Own Tax Return?

While deciding “Can I do my own tax return?” you must weigh the pros and cons. It will help you decide whether to file on your own or hire an accountant. Below are the key benefits of filling your tax returns:

The Pros of doing your own tax return:

• Saving Money: You avoid spending hundreds of pounds on accountancy fees.
• Financial Control: You get a very clear picture of where your money is going and how much profit you are actually making.
• Flexibility: You can work on it in your own time, even at 10 pm on a Sunday.

The Cons of doing your own tax return:

• Risk of Errors: Without professional eyes, it is easier to make a typo or claim for something that is not allowed.
• Missing Out on Reliefs: You might not know about specific tax breaks that could save you more than the cost of an accountant.
• Stress: If you hate paperwork, the looming January deadline can feel like a dark cloud over your Christmas.

What Do I Need to Submit My Own Tax Return?

A big part of confidence is feeling prepared. So, what do you need to submit your own tax return without panicking at the last minute?

At a minimum, you need:

• HMRC online login details and your UTR.
• Personal details like address and National Insurance number.
• Evidence of all income for the year, from any source you need to declare.
• Records of business or property expenses you plan to claim.
• Details of pension contributions, student loan repayments, and any tax already deducted.

Do I Need to Send My Receipts to HMRC?

No, you don’t need to send receipts to HMRC when filing your self-assessment tax return. But you should keep them for your records. HMRC may ask to see them if they decide to check your tax return.

What Counts as Allowable Expenses and Tax Relief?

Allowable expenses are costs that you can deduct from your income to reduce the amount of tax you owe. When people ask, “Can I do my own tax return?“, they are often worried about getting it wrong. Allowable expenses usually include:

• Business Expenses: For self-employed individuals or business owners.
• Travel Costs: Mileage, transport, and work-related travel.
• Work Clothing: Uniforms and protective clothing related to your job.
• Home Office: If you work from home, you may be able to claim part of your home costs (e.g., utilities, rent).

Tax Relief can reduce your tax bill, and it’s important to claim any you’re eligible for. This might include relief for charitable donations or tax-free allowances like the personal allowance.

What Does Good Bookkeeping Look Like for Self Assessment?

If you want to make your own tax return without tears every January, good bookkeeping is your best friend. But what does good bookkeeping look like in real life?

In general, good bookkeeping means:

• Recording income and expenses regularly, not once a year.
• Storing receipts and invoices somewhere safe and easy to search.
• Keeping business and personal spending as separate as possible.
• Reconciling your bank account with your records from time to time.

You might use:

• A simple spreadsheet if your business is small.
• Cloud bookkeeping software that connects to your bank.
• A mix of apps and cloud storage for digital copies of receipts.

The better your bookkeeping, the easier filling in your Self Assessment form becomes. Ultimately, the less likely you are to miss income or expenses.

What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Filing Your Tax Return?

Even if you decide to file your own tax return, there are common mistakes that can cause problems later. Here are some to watch out for:

• Missing income sources: Forgetting to include rental income, dividends, or side jobs.
• Incorrect expenses: Claiming personal costs as business expenses.
• Late filing: Submitting after the deadline leads to automatic fines.
• Poor record keeping: Not keeping receipts or mixing personal and business accounts.
• Wrong figures: Relying on estimates instead of actual numbers.
• Ignoring HMRC letters: Missing important notices about your tax return.

What Happens If I Make a Mistake While I Make My Own Tax Return?

Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us. If you have already sent your return and then realise you forgot an expense or typed a number wrong, you can usually fix it.

1. Log back into the Government Gateway.
2. Select “View your return.”
3. Click “Amend your return.”
4. Correct the figures and resubmit. HMRC will automatically recalculate what you owe.

Is It Cheaper To Do My Own Tax Return Or Hire An Accountant?

In the short term, it is always going to be cheaper for you to do your own taxes, as you are not going to pay for any of the accountant’s professional costs. But in addition to saving you money on fees, a good accountant will also help identify all of the possible tax relief or expenses that you may not have been aware of.

For small businesses, the cost savings of doing your own taxes will probably outweigh the benefits of using an accountant’s service. This remains true until the business grows large enough that the time saved by using a professional is worth the cost. Furthermore, for limited companies, the requirements are more complex, including the corporate tax returns and statutory accounts. So, hiring a skilled accountant is always beneficial.

How is Making Tax Digital changing things for 2026 and 2027?

This is the big update for anyone reading this in 2026. HMRC is rolling out Making Tax Digital (MTD).

• From April 2026, if you earn over £50,000 from self-employment or property, you can’t just do a once-a-year return anymore. You will need to use software to send quarterly updates plus a final legal declaration at the end of the year to confirm your total tax position.
• From April 2027, this threshold drops to £30,000. If you fall into these brackets, the old way of “logging in once a year” is going away. You will need MTD-compatible software to keep in HMRC’s good books.

The Bottom Line

While the question Can I Do My Own Tax Return? is a definite yes for most, the complexity of your individual financial situation will ultimately determine if you should.

The key is to be aware of all filing deadlines and not leave big decisions or big forms to the very last minute.

Additionally, start your preparation as soon as possible, save all your receipts, and have some money set aside to pay your final bill in January.

How Accotax Can Help

If you need help with your tax returns or any other accounting services, visit Accotax. We offer a range of packages designed to fit your unique needs!

Reach out, get an instant quote, and let us help you stay tax compliant!

Disclaimer: The information about the “Can I Do My Own Tax Return?” is provided in this article including text and graphics. It does not intend to disregard any of the professional advice.