Got a UTR - what really happens next?

pavane

I have received a letter from HMRC stating they "have set up a Self Assessment record" me, mentioning my UTR.

I did not contact them for an SA so it must be the second reason ('circumstances mean you need to complete a return'). The 2 changes in my circumstances from previous years:
- savings interest expected of 3000, much higher than previous years and above the 2500 threshold which I understand requires an SA (previously it was a much smaller amount, I would contact them and just pay by tax due as a higher rate payer by cheque)
- contributed to a SIPP for the first time for which I am due 20% as a higher rate tax payer (beyond the 20% topup claimed by my SIPP provider in March). I don't believe this requires an SA but I have heard conflicting opinions.

Anyway, the letter is dated "April 2016" although it has just now come through the post this weekend.

In the 'What happens next?' section it says 'we will normally write to you after April 5 to tell you to complete an SA and for which year and when you need to send the completed return.'

It then says 'if we need you to complete a tax return before this, we will send you a letter explaining when you will have to send it back to us', before mentioning most people fill online with a link to register for the activation code.

So, should I wait for a further letter, contact them, or proceed with my online registration?

Do I have to wait for them to confirm this is for the tax year 15/16? This will be my first SA and while it should be straightforward (savings interest and SIPP on top of PAYE employment) I would like to submit online without hanging about or dealing with paper, especially if it will take another month or two for the next letter to arrive.

Keep_pedalling

I would get started now. You will need to do a return for the last financial year whatever else they may later ask for so get it out of the way now.

badmemory

Don't get involved in self assessment until they tell you that you need to! You may not need to file until 2016/17 tax year.

[Deleted User]

The thing to do now is to register for the government gateway. When you gain access the very first page will inform you what returns are required to be completed. No point in filing a return for 2015/16 if you do not need to - unless it is to your advantage of course!

GingerBob_3

Is it compulsory to use the online form, or is the paper version still available?

xylophone

the paper version still available?

The paper version is still available and can be downloaded.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/469594/sa100_v0_4.pdf

AnotherJoe

Online is much easier as it only asks you the questions you need to answer.

GingerBob_3

AnotherJoe wrote: »

Online is much easier as it only asks you the questions you need to answer.

But I guess you've got to sign up to the Government Gateway system? I'm not signing up to any government systems.

pavane

Update-

A very stressful and frustrating experience. After numerous warnings about the id only being displayed once, "must be noted down, won't ever be shown again," etc. the site decides to very briefly displays (half second flash) my id before jumping to a login screen during registration (step 4). Hitting back doesn't work. This was before entering my UTR, only name and email had been entered. The account was created according to the email confirmation.

So I start again, using the same email and name, and this time it works, I note down the ID and proceed to the details in step 5. It does not accept my NI number, never had any problems before with it anywhere, I enter my post code and it works. Very strange.

I have a look around, every few pages seem to get 'sorry, temporarily unavailable' type messages. No sign of anything due, once I receive my requested activation code I will activate SA and see what happens.

The site seems very unreliable. I am not sure if it was because I did it late last night (around midnight) and they were doing maintenance. I don't mind that it looks like a basic site from 1998 as long it works.

pavane

I received my code and activated the SA. It says no payment is due which is expected as I haven't submitted anything. However, there are no signs of the need to submit an SA for 15-16 nor have I received anything further in the post.

mgdavid

pavane wrote: »

I received my code and activated the SA. It says no payment is due which is expected as I haven't submitted anything. However, there are no signs of the need to submit an SA for 15-16 nor have I received anything further in the post.

But in post 1 you give examples of your need for doing an SA. You don't need to wait to be told to do it, once you have the capability (UTR etc) and the necessary figures (you seem to know what you are doing) then just do it.