In short: £120 covers preparing and filing one person's Self Assessment tax return online with HMRC for one tax year. We work out your income from employment, dividends, self-employment, property and other sources, calculate the tax due, and send the return to you to approve before filing. The online deadline is 31 January after the end of the tax year. If you are a sole trader or landlord with qualifying income over £50,000, you must also use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax from April 2026, and we explain what that means for you.
What's included
- Check whether you need to file a return
- Help registering for Self Assessment and getting a UTR if needed
- Collection of your income and expense information
- Preparation of your SA100 return and supplementary pages
- Calculation of tax due and payments on account
- Return sent to you to approve before filing
- Online filing with HMRC
- Summary of what to pay and when
- Guidance on Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and whether it applies to you
- Reminders before the next deadline
Who needs to file a Self Assessment return
Self Assessment is how HMRC collects Income Tax that is not taken automatically through PAYE. You usually need to file a return if, in the last tax year (6 April to 5 April), you:
- were self-employed as a sole trader and earned more than £1,000
- were a partner in a business partnership
- received rental income from property
- received dividends above the tax-free allowance, which is common for company directors
- had other untaxed income, such as foreign income or larger savings interest
- were told to file by HMRC
Not every director needs to file — it depends on your income. If HMRC sends you a notice to file, you must file even if you think no tax is due.
Deadlines
- 5 October: register for Self Assessment if you are filing for the first time.
- 31 October: deadline for paper returns.
- 31 January: deadline for online returns, and for paying the tax you owe.
- 31 July: second payment on account, if you make payments on account.
If you file late, HMRC charges a £100 penalty straight away, with more if the return is later still. Interest and further penalties apply to late payment.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax changes how sole traders and landlords report to HMRC. Instead of one return a year, you keep digital records in HMRC-recognised software and send quarterly updates of income and expenses, then submit a final tax return through the software after the end of the tax year.
Whether it applies to you depends on your qualifying income — your gross income (before expenses) from self-employment and property combined:
- From 6 April 2026: qualifying income over £50,000 (based on your 2024–25 return)
- From 6 April 2027: qualifying income over £30,000 (based on your 2025–26 return)
- From 6 April 2028: qualifying income over £20,000 (based on your 2026–27 return)
Employment income, director's salary, dividends, pensions and savings do not count towards qualifying income. A company director whose only income is salary and dividends is not brought into MTD by those.
Quarterly updates are due on 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May. Some people are exempt. We tell you whether MTD applies, help you choose software and explain what to send. Preparing quarterly MTD updates throughout the year is quoted separately — ask us if you need it.
How it works
- Order online and tell us the tax year and your types of income.
- Upload your documents to your client account: P60 or payslips, dividend vouchers, bank interest, rental statements and business records.
- We prepare the return and send you a summary of income and tax to approve.
- We file the return online with HMRC and tell you what to pay and by when.
What you need to provide
- Your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) and National Insurance number
- Your Government Gateway details, or permission for us to act as your agent
- Income records for the tax year
- Records of allowable expenses, if you are self-employed or a landlord
Common mistakes
- Missing the 31 January deadline and the automatic £100 penalty
- Forgetting dividend income from your own company
- Not registering by 5 October in your first year
- Assuming MTD covers profit rather than gross income
The £120 price is for a standard return. Returns with capital gains, foreign income or many properties may need a separate quote; we tell you before starting. Company accounts and tax are covered by our Annual Accounts service, and day-to-day records by Bookkeeping, VAT and Payroll. If you need proof of UK tax residence for an overseas authority, see Tax Residence Certificate.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Self Assessment deadline?
31 October for paper returns and 31 January for online returns, following the end of the tax year on 5 April. Tax owed is also due by 31 January.
Do company directors have to file a Self Assessment return?
Not always. Many directors do because they receive dividends or other untaxed income. If HMRC sends you a notice to file, you must file.
Who has to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax from April 2026?
Sole traders and landlords whose combined gross income from self-employment and property was over £50,000 on their 2024–25 return. The threshold falls to £30,000 from April 2027 and £20,000 from April 2028.
Does director's salary or dividend income count for MTD?
No. Only gross income from self-employment and property counts towards the MTD for Income Tax threshold.
What is the penalty for filing late?
HMRC charges a £100 penalty as soon as the return is late. Further penalties apply after 3 months, and interest is charged on late payment.
What is included in the £120 price?
Preparing and filing one standard Self Assessment return for one tax year, with a tax calculation. Returns with capital gains, foreign income or many properties may need a quote.
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