Was I supposed to do a tax return last year?

mr_fishbulb

For tax year 07/08 I was a higher rate tax payer. I wrote to HMRC to request higher rate relief on my pension contributions. After much to-ing & fro-ing with old statements of earnings, P11Ds, etc, they changed my tax code to cover the pension contribution relief.

I've always been of the assumption that I don't need to do a tax return unless asked. And with all the corrispondance with HMRC telling them I was a higher rate earner, I would have thought the would ask me to do a return.

However, on the direct gov page about tax returns it says a tax return needs to be completed by "people who have other untaxed income and the tax due on it cannot be collected though a PAYE tax code" so does that mean I should have filled one in to cover interest on my bank account? All that work just for the sake of a few pounds?

Should I pro-actively fill one in for 08/09 (higher rate earner again) or should I just wait and see if I am asked?

Thanks

fengirl_2

Its your responsibility to notify HMRC if you have additonal tax to pay, so, yes you should have done a self assessment. If your bank interest is very small however, I would just self assess for 08-09 and not bother with the previous year - under £100 additional tax liability and HMRC are not bothered.

mr_fishbulb

fengirl wrote: »

Its your responsibility to notify HMRC if you have additonal tax to pay, so, yes you should have done a self assessment. If your bank interest is very small however, I would just self assess for 08-09 and not bother with the previous year - under £100 additional tax liability and HMRC are not bothered.

Thanks. Know of any sites with nice, clear instructions on how to complete one?

jem16

mr_fishbulb wrote: »

Should I pro-actively fill one in for 08/09 (higher rate earner again) or should I just wait and see if I am asked?

Best way would be to phone HMRC again and get them to adjust your tax code to include the pension payments and savings interest.

Personally I prefer to do a tax return and not have my tax code adjusted.

Thanks. Know of any sites with nice, clear instructions on how to complete one?

Register for online self assessment with HMRC. Then complete your tax return online as it's really easy and has help sheets.