SELF ASSESSMENT & MAKING TAX DIGITAL

Take the Stress Out of Self Assessment

Self Assessment should be straightforward and properly planned. We help you prepare early, understand your tax position and avoid the pressure of approaching HMRC deadlines.

We believe Self Assessment should be planned, not rushed. Our aim is to prepare your tax return well before the HMRC deadline, giving you time to understand your tax position, know what you will need to pay and deal with any issues before they become urgent.

We prepare Self Assessment returns for individuals, sole traders, landlords, company directors and professionals, combining accurate tax compliance with practical advice and forward planning.

WHO WE HELP

Self Assessment Support for Different Circumstances

Self Assessment isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether your tax affairs are relatively straightforward or involve several sources of income, we help make sure the right information is gathered, checked and dealt with in good time.

Individuals

Help with personal tax returns, additional income and other circumstances requiring Self Assessment.

Sole Traders

Tax return preparation for self-employed individuals, including business income and allowable expenses.

Landlords

Support with rental income, property expenses and the tax information required for Self Assessment.

Company Directors

Personal tax returns covering salary, dividends and other sources of income.

Professionals

Self Assessment support for consultants, medical professionals and other professionals with more complex income arrangements.

More Complex Tax Affairs

Support where a return involves multiple income sources, investments, capital gains or other additional tax considerations.

OUR APPROACH

The HMRC Deadline Shouldn't Be Your Working Deadline

We prefer to deal with your tax affairs well before the filing deadline. Preparing early gives us time to check the information properly, identify anything that needs attention and let you know your tax liability in good time.

GATHER EARLY

We encourage clients to provide their records and tax information as early as practical rather than waiting until the filing deadline approaches.

REVIEW

We check the information provided, identify anything missing and consider the overall tax position before preparing the return.

PREPARE & EXPLAIN

We prepare the return, calculate the tax liability and explain the figures so you understand what is due and when.

FILE IN GOOD TIME

Once approved, the return is submitted to HMRC in good time, avoiding unnecessary last-minute pressure.

Want to Know What Next Year Might Look Like?

For clients who want to plan further ahead, we can also prepare separate TaxCalc workings based on expected income and circumstances for the following tax year. This can help with tax planning and budgeting before the year is complete.

Available as an additional service — not included in the standard Self Assessment fee.

WHAT WE TAKE CARE OF

More Than Simply Filing a Tax Return

A tax return is the end result of gathering and checking the information behind it. We prepare the return carefully, calculate the resulting tax position and make sure you understand the figures before anything is submitted to HMRC.

Preparing Your Return

Employment and pension income
Self-employment and business income
Property and rental income
Dividends, savings and investment income
Capital gains information where applicable
Allowable expenses and relevant deductions

The information required will depend on your individual circumstances and the complexity of your tax affairs.

Getting the Tax Right

Calculation of your Self Assessment tax liability
Payments on account where applicable
Checking the information provided for completeness
Identifying matters that require clarification before filing
Electronic submission of the approved return to HMRC
Providing you with copies of your completed return and tax calculations

We explain the resulting tax position so that you know what is due and can prepare for payment in good time.

What If HMRC Raises a Query?

Preparing and submitting your Self Assessment return does not mean that HMRC cannot subsequently ask questions or open an enquiry. If that happens, First4Accounting can provide professional assistance and representation as a separate service.

HMRC enquiry and investigation work is not included in the standard Self Assessment fee.

MAKING TAX DIGITAL

MTD Is Changing Self Assessment — We'll Help You Through It

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax introduces additional digital record-keeping and reporting requirements for many sole traders and landlords. If you are affected, First4Accounting can help you understand what is required, establish an appropriate system and meet the new reporting obligations without making the process more complicated than it needs to be.

Do I Need MTD?

We establish whether and when the MTD rules apply to you based on your circumstances and qualifying income.

Getting the Records Right

We help you establish practical digital record keeping using suitable MTD-compatible software and a system appropriate to your circumstances.

Ongoing Compliance

We can assist with the required quarterly reporting and the preparation and submission of your tax return.

When Does MTD Apply?

6 APRIL 2026

Qualifying income over £50,000

6 APRIL 2027

Qualifying income over £30,000

6 APRIL 2028

Qualifying income over £20,000

For MTD for Income Tax, qualifying income broadly means your gross income from self-employment and property before expenses. Whether MTD applies will depend on your individual circumstances, and exemptions may apply in certain cases.

Not Sure What MTD Means for You?

You do not need to work it out alone. We can review your circumstances, explain when the rules affect you and help put an appropriate system in place.

STRAIGHTFORWARD PRICING

Clear Fees Based on the Work Involved

Every client’s tax affairs are different. We believe you should understand what your Self Assessment work is likely to cost before we start, so our fees reflect the work and complexity involved.

SELF ASSESSMENT TAX RETURN

From £175

For straightforward Self Assessment tax return preparation and submission.

Preparation of your Self Assessment tax return
Calculation of your tax liability
Review of the information provided
Explanation of the resulting tax position
Electronic submission of your approved return to HMRC
Copies of your completed return and tax calculations

The final fee will depend on the complexity of your tax affairs, the sources of income involved and the quality and completeness of the records provided.

Additional Services When You Need Them

Some clients need more than the preparation of the annual tax return. Where additional work is required, we will discuss this with you separately.

Next Tax Year Workings & Projections

Separate TaxCalc workings can be prepared to help you look ahead and plan for the following tax year.

Making Tax Digital Compliance

Assistance with digital records and MTD quarterly reporting where the rules apply.

Property & Capital Gains Work

Additional work where property transactions, disposals or more complex capital gains calculations are involved.

HMRC Enquiries & Investigations

Professional assistance and representation if HMRC subsequently raises queries or opens an enquiry.

Additional Tax & Business Advice

Separate advisory work where your circumstances require more detailed tax or business planning.

No Unexpected Additional Work

If we identify additional work outside the agreed scope, we will discuss it with you before proceeding.

OPTIONAL FEE PROTECTION

Protection Against the Professional Costs of an HMRC Investigation

HMRC can enquire into a tax return even when it has been prepared carefully and submitted correctly. Dealing with an enquiry can involve additional professional work and, in some circumstances, specialist legal assistance.

Tax Investigation Fee Protection

First4Accounting can offer eligible clients tax investigation fee protection insurance designed to help meet qualifying professional accountancy costs and, where applicable under the policy, certain legal costs arising from an HMRC enquiry or investigation.

Important: This is an insurance product and cover is subject to the insurer’s policy terms, conditions, exclusions, eligibility requirements and acceptance of individual claims. Cover does not apply in every circumstance. Full policy information should be considered before deciding whether the protection is appropriate.

SELF ASSESSMENT FAQs

Questions We Are Often Asked

Self Assessment does not need to be complicated. Here are answers to some of the questions clients commonly have about preparing their tax return, providing their records, Making Tax Digital and working with First4Accounting.

WHEN SHOULD I SEND YOU MY TAX INFORMATION?

As early as practical. We do not believe the HMRC filing deadline should become your working deadline. Providing your information early gives us time to review it properly, identify anything missing, prepare your return and let you know your tax position well before the deadline.

WHAT INFORMATION WILL YOU NEED FROM ME?

That depends on your circumstances. It may include employment and pension information, self-employment records, property income and expenses, savings and investment income, dividends, capital gains information and details of relevant expenses or deductions. We will explain what is required for your particular return.

HOW MUCH DOES A SELF ASSESSMENT TAX RETURN COST?

Our Self Assessment service starts from £175 for a straightforward return. The final fee depends on the complexity of your tax affairs, the sources of income involved and the quality and completeness of the information provided. Where additional work is required, we will discuss this with you before proceeding.

WILL I KNOW HOW MUCH TAX I HAVE TO PAY BEFORE MY RETURN IS FILED?

Yes. We calculate your tax position as part of preparing the return and explain the resulting figures before the return is submitted to HMRC for you. Our approach is to prepare early wherever possible so that you have time to understand and prepare for the amount due.

CAN YOU HELP ME PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR'S TAX?

Yes. For clients who want to look further ahead, we can prepare separate TaxCalc workings based on expected income and circumstances for the following tax year. This can help with tax planning and budgeting. This is an additional service and is not included in the standard Self Assessment fee.

HOW DO I SEND MY DOCUMENTS TO FIRST4ACCOUNTING?

First4Accounting provides a secure online client portal for exchanging documents and information. This provides a convenient alternative to sending sensitive tax documents by ordinary email and allows clients to deal with their accounting and tax information online.

ACCESS THE CLIENT PORTAL →

WHAT IS TAXCALC ENGAGER?

TaxCalc Engager provides the technology behind our dedicated browser-based client portal. It enables First4Accounting to provide clients with a secure online environment for exchanging documents and dealing with information required for their accounting and tax affairs.

DO I NEED MAKING TAX DIGITAL FOR INCOME TAX?

It depends on your circumstances and qualifying income from self-employment and property. MTD for Income Tax is being introduced in stages. We can establish whether the rules apply to you, explain when you may need to join and help you put an appropriate digital record-keeping and reporting system in place.

WHAT DOES MTD MEAN IN PRACTICE?

For those within MTD for Income Tax, it introduces digital record-keeping and additional reporting requirements during the tax year. We can help with suitable digital records, the required quarterly reporting and the preparation and submission of your tax return.

I AM A LANDLORD — CAN YOU PREPARE MY RETURN?

Yes. We prepare Self Assessment returns for landlords and can deal with rental income and relevant property expenses as part of the return. Where property transactions, disposals or more complex capital gains calculations are involved, additional work may be required.

I AM A COMPANY DIRECTOR — DO I STILL NEED A PERSONAL TAX RETURN?

That depends on your individual circumstances and sources of income. Where a Self Assessment return is required, we can deal with relevant salary, dividends and other personal income and explain the resulting tax position.

WHAT HAPPENS IF HMRC CONTACTS ME ABOUT MY RETURN?

Contact us before responding if you would like professional assistance. HMRC can ask questions or open an enquiry after a return has been submitted. First4Accounting can provide professional assistance and representation as a separate service. HMRC enquiry and investigation work is not included in the standard Self Assessment fee.

DO YOU OFFER PROTECTION AGAINST THE COST OF AN HMRC INVESTIGATION?

First4Accounting can offer eligible clients tax investigation fee protection insurance designed to help meet qualifying professional costs arising from eligible HMRC enquiries or investigations. Certain legal costs may also be covered where provided for by the policy. Cover is subject to the insurer’s terms, conditions, exclusions, eligibility requirements and acceptance of individual claims.

DO I HAVE TO COME TO YOUR OFFICE?

No. Much of the process can be handled electronically using our secure client portal and other appropriate communication methods. However, clients who prefer personal contact are also welcome to arrange a meeting with us.

CAN I SPEAK TO YOU BEFORE DECIDING TO USE FIRST4ACCOUNTING?

Yes. If you would like to discuss your Self Assessment position, Making Tax Digital or the information you need to provide, you can contact us to arrange an initial consultation.