Self Assessment advice needed

is_the_kettle_on

Hello money savers,

I am hoping for a little advice on self assessment.

Last year in February I packed in the day job to go traveling. Before I left, a friend (or lodger) moved in to my mortgaged house and remains there still. They do pay me a rent which to date has totalled about 5k.
Now I had planned to be back in the UK by now so could have gotten myself sorted with the tax office but now it looks like I could be away a while longer.


I know I should do a Self Assessment tax return to register the income but because I am away and time is now short (is the deadline 31st?) I'm worried that if find I am missing some crucial bit of info that I don't have access to I will skrew up the assesment, and in so doing alert the Inland Revenue 'of my existance'.

Is the online thing quite detailed or can one muddle through without access to a years worth of accounts?

Would it be unwise to skip the whole thing and just do it properly next year?

I have not worked since being away and have spent about $500 in maintenance on the property and about $900 in interest on the mortgage (if this is relevant). I also still pay all the bills.

Any help or advise would be greatly appreciated!!