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 How to Find Last-Minute Tax Return Assistance

The deadline for filing your 2018-19 tax return online is January 31, 2020. If you need to file a tax refund but don't know where to begin, assistance is available even now. We offer some advice on how to locate last-minute tax return support in the hopes of motivating people to deal with their tax returns rather than ignoring them!

If you believe you do not need to file a tax return,

The first thing to mention is that if you have a 2018/19 tax return that you don't believe you need to complete (for example, because you were self-employed but are no more), you should see if you can get HMRC to cancel the requirement for you to file the tax return rather than finish it.

It's worth noting that determining whether you need to file a Self Assessment tax return if you have property income (assuming you don't need to file a tax return for any other reason) might be particularly perplexing. The following is the position:

• Gross income of less than or equal to £1,000 is excluded under the property allowance, hence no tax return is required.
• If you have a gross income of more than £1,000 but a net income of less than £2,500, contact HMRC (because they may be able to collect the tax via PAYE)
• A tax return is necessary if you have a net income of £2,500 or more (or a gross income of £10,000 or more).
• If you have your miniatures ready but are unsure where to put them,

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Completing the tax return online form might be intimidating, especially if it is your first time.

If you have your figures ready but don't know where to enter them, your best bet is to contact HMRC. The phone number for their Self Assessment hotline is 0300 200 3310. In our latest news piece, we look at other ways to contact them about Self Assessment (including a new online forum).

If you require additional assistance from HMRC (for example, because you are disabled or vulnerable in some way), and it is simply a matter of entering numbers into the appropriate boxes, HMRC has a special team that can assist you with this – for example, by entering your data into the online system on your behalf.

• If you have everything ready but are unable to access the online system, we have instructions for you.
• If you require assistance in calculating your figures, please contact us Cheap accountant in London .

On our website, we provide a variety of material that may help you understand what you need to report (rather than just where to report it), for example:

• Self-employment Handbook
• Rental income
• Pensions from abroad

If you have a low income, you can get help with calculations from TaxAid or Tax Help for Older People. They can also assist you if you have missing records or if you owe more than one tax return.

They are unlikely to be able to provide you an appointment in time for the 31st January deadline, but they should be able to assist you get your 2018/19 tax return in as soon as possible after that, and they can help you appeal the automatic £100 late filing penalty, if possible.

If your case is complicated and/or you fall beyond the scope of the tax charity, there is often no replacement for seeking the advice and aid of a tax professional, even if it requires paying. More on this later.

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Obtaining Professional Assistance

Professional assistance with completing and filing a tax return is available – and it may not be as difficult or expensive as you believe.

A Chartered Tax Adviser, Taxation Technician, or certified general accountant will be able to assist with the vast majority of Self Assessment tax returns.

Accountants and tax advisers may be perceived as intimidating and just concerned in offering 'business' services or sophisticated tax planning. However, this is not the case; many, particularly single practitioners, are polite and approachable, and are ready to do simple compliance work for individuals – even if it is a one-time thing.

As a first step, ask your friends and family for local recommendations. If this does not work, search the internet. Many accountants or tax advisers who work on their own have websites; make sure any counsel is a member of a professional tax or accounting group (they may have a 'badge' on display).

You're pushing it to find a professional who will take you on as a new client and prepare your tax return by the 31st of January, but you might get lucky (especially if you can tell them that your records/paperwork are in good shape and/or you're willing to pay a little extra because of the tight deadline).

You might also seek in your local high street for tax accountant chains (many of the individual offices are maintained by members of professional organisations) with 'shopfronts' where you can just walk in and discuss your needs. Do not be put off if their signage says that they only assist businesses; many also assist individuals. Again, be sure they are a member of a relevant professional tax or accounting organisation.