HM Revenue & Customs this week have issued a reminder to those people still due to submit a return. The 31st October deadline for paper returns has already passed, so the only option still available is to file your tax return online before 31st January.

If you submit a paper return now, or file an online return after 31st January, you could receive a £100 penalty.

When filing your self-assessment return online for the first time, you need to register for HMRC’s Self Assessment Online service. This is a relatively simple process; visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/sa and click “Register for Self Assessment Online”.

After you have registered, an Activation Code is sent to you in the post. Because it can take up to seven days for this to arrive (future postal strikes permitting!) it is worth completing this step sooner rather than later.

If you are an Informed Choice client then do speak to us if you need help collating any of the income figures or other information for your tax return.