Each year, around 11 million customers complete a Self Assessment tax return. Customers can complete their 2019-20 tax return at any time up to the deadline but HMRC recommends completing it early to allow customers time to pay their tax bill or set up a payment plan.

The majority of Self Assessment customers choose to complete their tax return online, which provides an immediate calculation of any tax owed.

Customers completing a paper tax return have until 31 October 2020 to send their completed form to HMRC.

Customers must complete a Self Assessment return if:

• They’ve earned more than £2,500 from renting out property
• They’ve received, or their partner has received, Child Benefit and either of them had an annual income of more than £50,000
• They’ve received more than £2,500 in other untaxed income, for example from tips or commission
• They are a self-employed sole trader whose annual turnover is over £1,000
• They are an employee claiming expenses in excess of £2,500
• They have an annual income of over £100,000
• They have earned income from abroad that they need to pay tax on

Karl Khan, HMRC’s interim director general of customer services, said: “The vast majority of Self Assessment customers complete their tax return by the 31 January deadline, but you don’t need to wait until January; you can send it back now and get it out of the way. 

“HMRC is determined to help customers during this difficult time. We know many customers will have been adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic, or will need help to spread the cost of their tax bill. That’s why we’ve made it quick and simple to set up a payment plan to spread the costs and help people get back on their feet. It’s easy to do online and there’s no need to call us to set it up.”