If your self assessment tax return in Uxbridge is hanging over you, we can take it off your hands. Ken Accounting has prepared tax returns for sole traders, landlords, company directors and individuals since 2007. We agree a fixed fee, prepare your return, check it with you and file it well before the 31 January deadline.
Who needs to file a tax return
Most people who pay tax through PAYE never need to file a tax return. But you must send one if, in the last tax year, any of these applied to you:
- You were self-employed as a sole trader and earned more than £1,000
- You were a partner in a business partnership
- You had to pay Capital Gains Tax when you sold or gave away something, such as a second property or shares
- You had to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge and do not pay it through PAYE
You may also need to file if you have untaxed income, such as rental income from property, tips or commission, savings interest, dividends or foreign income. Company directors often need to file too, particularly if they take dividends.
If HMRC writes to ask you to send a tax return, you must do so even if none of the above applies. If you are not sure, we can check for you in a short call.
What we need from you
We keep this as simple as we can. Once you appoint us, we send you a checklist tailored to your situation. Depending on your income, it usually includes:
- Your UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) and National Insurance number
- P60s, P45s or P11Ds from any employment
- Your business income and expenses, or access to your bookkeeping software
- Rental income and costs, including mortgage interest statements
- Bank and building society interest, and dividend vouchers
- Pension contributions and Gift Aid donations
- Details of anything you sold that may give rise to Capital Gains Tax
We prepare the return, explain what you owe and why, and only file it once you have approved it. If anything is missing, we tell you exactly what we need rather than leaving you to guess.
Key deadlines
For the 2025 to 2026 tax year (6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026), the key dates are:
- 5 October 2026: tell HMRC if you need to complete a tax return and have not filed one before
- 31 October 2026: deadline for paper tax returns
- 31 January 2027: deadline for online tax returns, and for paying any tax you owe for 2025 to 2026
- 31 July 2027: second payment on account, if you make payments on account
If you owe more than a small amount, HMRC may ask you to make payments on account towards next year’s bill, due on 31 January and 31 July. We explain these clearly so the January bill does not come as a shock.
Missing the deadline is costly. If your return is late, there is an initial £100 penalty, even if you have no tax to pay. After 3 months, daily penalties of £10 a day apply, up to £900, and further penalties follow at 6 and 12 months.
Late payment brings its own penalties of 5% of the unpaid tax at 30 days, 6 months and 12 months, plus interest. See all the key dates on our tax deadlines page.
Self assessment and Making Tax Digital
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is changing how many sole traders and landlords report their income. Since 6 April 2026, if your qualifying income from self-employment and property is over £50,000, you must keep digital records and send quarterly updates to HMRC.
The threshold falls to £30,000 from April 2027 and £20,000 from April 2028. Qualifying income is your total self-employment and property income before expenses, not your profit.
If you are already in MTD, you still file your 2025 to 2026 tax return in the usual way by 31 January 2027. For 2026 to 2027 onwards, the quarterly updates and a final declaration through MTD software take the place of your usual return.
Every self assessment client gets MTD advice as part of our service. We tell you whether and when MTD applies, and we can set up your software and file your quarterly updates. Find out more on our Making Tax Digital page.
If you are a landlord, see our page for landlords and property investors.
Fixed fee
We agree a fixed fee for your tax return before we start. You know the cost up front, and it does not go up because you rang us with a question.
The fee depends mainly on:
- How many sources of income you have, such as employment, self-employment, property and investments
- Whether we also keep your books, or you send us summary figures
- How many rental properties you have
- Whether there are capital gains, foreign income or other complex items
- How organised your records are when they reach us
[TODO: Gaurav to confirm “from £” price or keep as quote-only]
The earlier you get your information to us, the easier it is for everyone. Clients who send their records in the autumn know what they owe well before Christmas, with time to plan for the January payment. See our fees page for more on how we price.
You can drop your paperwork in at our office at The Charter Building in Uxbridge, or send everything to us online.
FAQs
When is the deadline for my tax return?
For the 2025 to 2026 tax year, the online deadline is 31 January 2027. Paper returns had to reach HMRC by 31 October 2026. Any tax you owe is also due by 31 January 2027.
What if I have missed the 5 October deadline to register?
Register as soon as possible. HMRC can charge a penalty if you tell them late and there is tax to pay, so it is best not to wait. We can help you register and get your return filed.
I am late filing. Can you still help?
Yes. The initial £100 late filing penalty applies as soon as the deadline passes, and daily penalties start after 3 months. The sooner we file, the less you are likely to pay.
Do I need a tax return if I rent out a property?
If you receive rental income, you will usually need to tell HMRC. Depending on your circumstances, that may mean filing a tax return. We can check what applies to you.
Does Making Tax Digital replace self assessment?
For people within MTD for Income Tax, quarterly updates and a final declaration through MTD software replace the usual tax return. Everyone else continues to file in the usual way.