So you’ve figured out you need to complete a Self Assessment tax return. Great! But before you can file anything, there’s a crucial first step: actually registering for Self Assessment.
Don’t worry – the process is pretty straightforward, and we’ll walk you through everything you need to know.
When do you need to register?
Timing matters here. You’ll need to register for Self Assessment by 5 October after the end of the tax year you’re filing for.
For example, if you need to file a tax return for the 2024/25 tax year (which runs from 6 April 2024 to 5 April 2025), you’d need to register by 5 October 2025. Register after this deadline and HMRC may charge you a penalty, so it’s worth getting onto this early.
On the bright side, you only need to register once. After your initial registration, you’ll use the same credentials for all future tax returns.
The easiest way to register: online
The most common and straightforward way to register is through HMRC online services. You’ll need to create a Government Gateway account if you don’t already have one – but honestly, the whole process is simple.
Here’s what you’ll need to hand:
- Your National Insurance number
- Your full name (including any previous legal names you were known by)
- Your current address, and when you moved in
- Your date of birth
- Your gender
- Your phone number
- Your email address
You’ll also need to indicate whether you’ve registered for Self Assessment before, and answer a few quick questions about your business. That’s it – nothing too complicated!
What happens after you register?
Once your registration goes through, HMRC will send you a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) via post. Heads up: this might take a few weeks to arrive, so register early to avoid any last-minute stress.
Your UTR is important – you’ll need it when the time comes to actually file your Self Assessment tax return. Keep it somewhere safe where you can easily find it come the January filing deadline.
Who actually needs to register?
Just to make sure you’re in the right place, here’s a quick recap of who needs to use Self Assessment.
You’ll need to register if any of the following applied during the most recent tax year:
- You earned more than £1,000 in self-employed income (not counting any tax relief you’re eligible for)
- You were a partner in a business partnership
- You were required to pay Capital Gains Tax after selling or “disposing” of something that increased in value (like property or shares)
- You had to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge (and haven’t arranged to pay it through your PAYE tax code)
You may also need to register if you had untaxed income from things like rental properties, tips and commissions, savings and investments, dividends, or foreign income.
Not sure if Self Assessment applies to you? Gov.uk has a handy tool you can use to double check. It’s for informational purposes only and non-binding, and they won’t send your details to HMRC.
Skip the admin entirely
Registering for Self Assessment isn’t exactly difficult – but it is another thing on your to-do list. And once you’ve registered, you’ve still got the actual tax return to complete, records to keep, and tax payment deadlines to remember.
This is exactly why Hnry exists. For just 1% +VAT of your self-employed income (capped at £600 +VAT per year), we handle your taxes for you. We automatically calculate, deduct, and pay all your taxes every time you get paid – including:
- Income tax
- VAT (if applicable)
- National Insurance contributions
- Student loan repayments (if applicable)
We’ll also complete your Self Assessment tax return on your behalf, and we’re Making Tax Digital-compatible for when those new rules kick in. Plus through our app, you get unlimited invoices, unlimited quotes, and your expenses managed by our local team of tax experts.
Basically, you can forget about your taxes and get back to doing stuff you actually enjoy. Join Hnry and never think about Self Assessment again!
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