Taxlab prepares and files Self Assessment tax returns for sole traders, landlords, partners, company directors and individuals across Bathgate, Livingston and West Lothian. We work out what you owe, claim the reliefs you are entitled to, file with HMRC on time and tell you exactly when to pay, so there are no surprises in January.
Do you need to send a Self Assessment tax return?
Tax on wages and pensions is usually taken automatically through PAYE. According to GOV.UK, you must send a tax return if, in the last tax year (6 April to 5 April), any of the following applied:
- you were self-employed as a sole trader and earned more than £1,000 before taking off expenses
- you were a partner in a business partnership
- you had to pay Capital Gains Tax on something you sold or disposed of
- you had to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge and do not pay it through PAYE
- you are an off-payroll worker repaying a student or postgraduate loan
You may also need to send a return if you have untaxed income, such as:
- rent from property or land
- tips and commission
- savings interest
- dividends, including from your own limited company
- foreign income
- taxable UK income if you are not UK resident
Not sure? Use HMRC’s online tool to check if you need to send a tax return, or ask us. If you are starting out on your own, FreeAgent’s guide to the legal requirements of becoming a sole trader is a useful read.
Self Assessment deadlines for the 2025/26 tax year
The 2025/26 tax year ran from 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026. The key deadlines are:
- 5 October 2026 – register for Self Assessment if you have not sent a return before (or did not need to send one for 2024/25)
- 31 October 2026 – paper tax returns must reach HMRC
- 30 December 2026 – file online by this date if you want a bill to be collected through your tax code
- 31 January 2027 – file your online return and pay any tax owed for 2025/26, plus your first payment on account for 2026/27 if one is due
- 31 July 2027 – second payment on account for 2026/27
If you registered after 5 October 2026, HMRC will give you a filing deadline of 3 months from the date of its letter or email, but the tax must still be paid by 31 January 2027.
Payments on account explained
Payments on account are advance payments towards next year’s bill, including Class 4 National Insurance if you are self-employed. Each one is usually half of last year’s tax bill and they are due on 31 January and 31 July.
You do not have to make them if last year’s bill was less than £1,000, or if more than 80% of the tax you owed was already paid outside Self Assessment, for example through your tax code. If your income has fallen, we can apply to reduce your payments on account so you are not paying more than you need to.
Late filing and late payment penalties
HMRC charges penalties if your return or payment is late:
- an initial £100 penalty for a late return, even if there is no tax to pay
- after 3 months, £10 a day up to a maximum of £900
- after 6 months, a further 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater
- after 12 months, another 5% or £300, whichever is greater
- for late payment, 5% of the unpaid tax at 30 days, 6 months and 12 months, plus interest
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
Sole traders and landlords now face Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, based on their qualifying income from self-employment and property:
- over £50,000 in 2024/25 – required from 6 April 2026
- over £30,000 in 2025/26 – required from 6 April 2027
- over £20,000 in 2026/27 – required from 6 April 2028
You keep digital records, send quarterly updates through compatible software such as Xero or FreeAgent, and still file a final return after the year end. Read our update on where Making Tax Digital for Income Tax stands in October 2026.
Scottish taxpayers
If you live in Scotland, Scottish income tax rates and bands apply to your earnings, self-employed profits, pensions and rental income. Savings and dividend income are taxed at UK rates. We make sure your return reflects this correctly.
Our Self Assessment service
We take the stress out of your tax return:
- a clear checklist of the information we need from you
- preparation of your return, including self-employment, partnership, property, dividends, savings, foreign income and capital gains
- calculation of your tax liability and payments on account
- online filing with HMRC, well ahead of the deadline
- a reminder of how much to pay and when
- tax planning tips to reduce your bill legally, such as pension contributions, Gift Aid and allowable expenses
- Making Tax Digital set-up and quarterly updates for sole traders and landlords
- dealing with HMRC on your behalf, including enquiries, penalty appeals and repayment claims
What we need from you
- your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) and National Insurance number
- P60s, P45s or P11D details from any employment
- business income and expenses records, or access to your Xero or FreeAgent account
- rental income and expenses for any property
- bank and building society interest and dividend statements
- details of pension contributions and Gift Aid donations
- details of any assets sold, such as property or shares
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2025/26 tax return deadline?
31 January 2027 for online returns, and 31 October 2026 for paper returns. Any tax owed must also be paid by 31 January 2027.
Do company directors need to file a tax return?
Not automatically. Being a director does not by itself mean you need a return, but many directors do, for example because they receive dividends or other untaxed income. We can check for you.
I have missed the deadline. What should I do?
File as soon as possible. Penalties grow the longer the return is outstanding, and interest runs on unpaid tax. If you had a reasonable excuse, we can help you appeal.
Get your tax return sorted
Talk to Taxlab about your Self Assessment tax return. Contact us, call 0845 862 6009 or message us on WhatsApp.
This page gives general information only and does not constitute professional advice. Deadlines and thresholds are taken from GOV.UK guidance as at October 2026.