Tax guides and news
UK tax return advice from qualified accountants
Plain-English articles on Self Assessment, landlord tax, self-employment and deadlines. Written and reviewed by the Accotax tax team.
Latest
How Much Does a Self Assessment Tax Return Cost in the UK? (2026 Fees Guide)
What a UK tax return costs: filing yourself is free, software has a fee, and an accountant is a fixed price that depends on...
General
Marriage Allowance 2026/27: Who Can Claim and How Much You Save
Marriage Allowance lets one partner transfer £1,260 of Personal Allowance and save up to £252 a year. Learn who qualifies, the income limits, how...
How to File a Tax Return for Previous Years (Back Tax Returns UK)
Missed filing a tax return? Learn how far back you can file, how to catch up on several years, what penalties to expect and...
How to Amend a Self Assessment Tax Return After Filing (UK Guide)
You can amend a Self Assessment return online up to 12 months after the filing deadline. Learn the steps, the 72-hour rule, what happens...
How to Find Your UTR Number (or Get One) in the UK
Where to find a lost Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), how long a new one takes to arrive, what it looks like and what to...
Crypto Tax UK: How to Report Gains on Your Self Assessment (2026/27)
How UK crypto tax works in 2026/27: what counts as a disposal, the £3,000 Capital Gains Tax allowance, 18% and 24% rates, pooling, record...
Do Non Resident Landlords Pay UK Tax? A Complete Guide for Overseas Property Owners
The UK property market continues to attract investors from around the world. Many individuals purchase residential or commercial properties in the United Kingdom while...
How to Pay Your Self Assessment Tax Bill in the UK (2026 Guide)
If you are self-employed, a landlord, freelancer, or company director, understanding how to Pay Your Self Assessment Tax Bill correctly is essential to avoid...
Personal Tax Allowance UK 2025-26: Complete Guide for Taxpayers
Understanding the UK tax system begins with one fundamental concept: the personal tax allowance. For the 2025–26 tax year, this allowance continues to play...
Limited Company Director Self Assessment UK: A Complete Guide for Directors
Managing taxes as a company director in the United Kingdom can often feel intricate, particularly for first-time directors unfamiliar with HMRC obligations. While operating...
MTD Software for Landlords: The Complete Guide to Digital Tax Compliance
Not sure whether to use software or an accountant? Read Do I need an accountant for MTD? or get a fixed-fee quote.In today’s rapidly...
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax 2026 UK: Complete Guide for Individuals and Businesses
Not sure whether to use software or an accountant? Read Do I need an accountant for MTD? or get a fixed-fee quote.The UK tax...
Sole Trader vs Limited Company: Which Is Right for You? (UK Guide 2026)
Choosing between operating as a sole trader or forming a limited company is one of the most pivotal decisions in the lifecycle of any...
How Sole Traders Can Claim Mileage Allowance UK | Complete Guide
Navigating the complex landscape of business expenses can often feel daunting for sole traders. One area that requires particular attention is claiming vehicle expenses...
Self Assessment
Self-Employed Mileage Allowance 2026/27: 55p a Mile Explained for Drivers
Simplified mileage rates for the self-employed from 6 April 2026: 55p a mile for the first 10,000 miles, then 25p. How to choose between...
First Year Self-Employed? Your UK Tax Checklist for 2026/27
A step-by-step tax checklist for new sole traders: when to register, what records to keep, key deadlines, National Insurance, payments on account, Making Tax...
Do I Pay Tax on Vinted, eBay or Etsy Sales? UK Rules for 2026
When selling on Vinted, eBay, Etsy or Depop is taxable in the UK: personal items versus trading, the £1,000 trading allowance, platform reporting to...
Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance for the Self-Employed (2026/27)
What self-employed people pay in National Insurance in 2026/27: Class 4 at 6% and 2%, Class 2 treated as paid above £7,105, and when...
How Much Should a Sole Trader Set Aside for Tax? (2026/27 Examples)
A simple rule of thumb plus worked 2026/27 examples showing how much tax and National Insurance a sole trader should set aside at £20,000,...
MTD Quarterly Update Deadlines 2026/27: Dates, Rules and Penalties
The four Making Tax Digital quarterly update deadlines for 2026/27 (7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May), who must send them, what...
Missed the Self Assessment Registration Deadline? What to Do
The deadline to register for Self Assessment for the 2025/26 tax year was 5 October 2026. If you missed it, register as soon as...
Best MTD Software for Sole Traders UK (2026 Guide)
Not sure whether to use software or an accountant? Read Do I need an accountant for MTD? or get a fixed-fee quote.Best MTD Software...
![Self Assessment Deadline 2026 [Key Dates to Know]](https://cheap-taxreturns.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Self-Assessment-Deadline-2026-1-768x509.png)
Self Assessment Deadline 2026 [Key Dates to Know]
5 October 2026: Self Assessment deadline to register if you are new to self-employment or earned untaxed income in 2025/26. 31 October 2026: Paper...
Self Assessment Late Filing Penalties Explained (2026)
Your online Self Assessment tax return and any tax due are normally due by 31 January. Filing even one day late can lead to...
How to Fill Self Assessment Tax Return & Avoid HMRC Mistakes
If you are self-employed, a business owner, or earn income outside of PAYE, you are required to complete a Self Assessment tax return each...
Can I Do My Own Self Assessment Tax Return in the UK? (2026 Guide)
Yes, you can absolutely do your own Self Assessment tax return in the UK. HMRC provides a free online portal that anyone can use...
Accountants
Do I Need an Accountant for My Tax Return? A Complete UK Guide
If you've typed "do I need an accountant for my tax return" into Google, you're probably staring down a Self Assessment deadline and wondering...
How to Calculate Your Tax Bill as a Sole Trader in the UK (2025/26 Guide)
Working out how to calculate tax sole trader UK rules apply to your business is one of the most important skills you can master...
Student Tax Return UK: Do Students Need to File Self Assessment?
Being a student doesn't automatically exempt you from the UK tax system. If you're earning money from a part-time job, freelance work, tutoring, or...
How to Appeal an HMRC Self-Assessment Penalty: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you've received a fine from the taxman, you're probably searching for how to appeal HMRC self-assessment penalty notices before the deadline runs out....
Emergency Tax Refund UK: How to Claim Back Overpaid Tax
If your latest payslip looks smaller than expected, you may be on an emergency tax code — and you're not alone. Millions of UK...
How to Declare Rental Income in the UK & Avoid Tax Errors
If you earn money from renting out a property in the UK, you are legally required to declare that income to HMRC and, in...
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) in London: Complete 2026 Guide
If you live or work in London — whether as a UK citizen, an expatriate, a freelancer, or a business owner — understanding the...
Allowable Expenses for Self Employed in the UK | Reduce Your Tax Bill
If you're self-employed in the UK, one of the most powerful ways to reduce your tax bill is to claim allowable expenses for self...
Property Income Allowance Explained: The Complete UK Guide for 2026/27
If you earn money from renting out property — even informally — the Property Income Allowance explained in this guide could save you hundreds...
How to Register for Self Assessment with HMRC | Complete UK Guide
If you are self-employed, earn income outside of PAYE, or run your own business in the UK, you need to register for Self Assessment...
Capital Gains Tax on Property UK 2025–26: Rates, Allowances, Reliefs & How to Reduce Your Bill
Whether you're selling a buy-to-let, a second home, or gifting property to a family member, understanding capital gains tax on property in the UK...
Do I Pay Tax on a Side Hustle in the UK? Full 2026 Guide
If your gross side hustle income is under £1,000 in a tax year, you pay no tax and do not need to register with...
Landlord
Airbnb and Holiday Let Tax in the UK: What Hosts Must Report (2026/27)
How Airbnb and holiday let income is taxed in the UK after the furnished holiday lettings regime ended in April 2025: Rent a Room...
Allowable Expenses for Landlords: Complete Guide for 2026
Allowable expenses for landlords are the day to day costs of running a rental. You deduct them from your rent before tax is worked...
How Is Rental Income Taxed in the UK? Guide for Landlords
Tax on rental income UK is generally calculated on your rental profits, not the total rent collected. You must pay a specific tax on...
What is Payment on Account? A Complete UK Guide for Self-Employed Taxpayers
If you're self-employed, a landlord, or run your own business in the UK, you have probably come across a line on your HMRC tax...
Uncategorised
Do I Need an Accountant for MTD? (Making Tax Digital Guide)
Short answer: no, the law does not make you hire an accountant for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax. You must use compatible...
limited company
Dividend Tax Rates 2026/27: What Company Directors Pay
Dividend tax rates for 2026/27 are 10.75%, 35.75% and 39.35% with a £500 allowance. Worked examples for company directors and how to report dividends...
Construction Industry Scheme
Gross Payment Status in the Construction Industry Scheme
The Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) is a tax framework introduced by HM Revenue and Customs to regulate payments between contractors and subcontractors in the...
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