Over the annual allowance / problems registering for self assessment

SuffolkWanderer

Can anyone help me please? I've today (2nd October) been told by my employer's pension scheme that I have exceeded the annual allowance for 2025/26. I have no carry-forward available, so I will need to pay the tax charge. I understand I need to declare this via tax self-assessment (even though I intend to use the "scheme pays" option). So I now need to register for self-assessment as I've never used this before (and by Monday 5th i.e. in 2-3 days time - thanks for the short notice pension scheme! … I've only been chasing them for my pension input amount for 3 months!). Early in the self-assessment registration process I'm asked "Why do you need to send a tax return?" (with options such as e.g. "I get income from land & property"). The trouble is, none of the 9 options apply to me. But the registration process can't be moved on until I have selected at least one of the options. I've tried selecting a random one just to move the registration process on but I then get asked (e.g.) "when did you start getting income from land & property". The virtual assistant is no use (it keeps crashing). Has anyone been through this before who can advise? (there is a phone number that opens Monday, but since this is the deadline & I'm at work all day I'd rather not wait).

Woodstok2000

Isn't it this option?

SuffolkWanderer

That option does not come up for me - I put in my name & details, select "I don't work for myself", and then I get 9 options like this … how did you reach that option?

poseidon1

If you are ( or would have been ) a 40% tax payer, tick the high income box?

Marcon

Not sure where you're starting from, but try kicking off using this link unless that's what is already driving you round the bend:

https://www.gov.uk/register-for-self-assessment/y

If you still end up going round in a loop, maybe the printed version would give you a more relaxed weekend:

https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/print-and-post/form/Test/1.0/SA1/sa1.xdp

You can get Royal Mail to collect from your home tomorrow (30p for collection + online postage costs - using Signed For delivery would make sense) if you book the collection before midnight: https://send.royalmail.com

SuffolkWanderer

Alas no - that opens up the following questions neither of which apply …

SuffolkWanderer

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82156958#Comment_82156958

Thank you (and to the other posters who have replied). That is unfortunately the link that is driving me round the bend and ultimately into a brick wall. I think printed printed version is the way to go, with signed for delivery arriving at HMRC on Monday. Lets hope that them receiving this on Monday 5th counts as being "on time".

Marcon

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82156980#Comment_82156980

Don't worry too much if it doesn't. There's no automatic fine - and if HMRC do try to fine you (unlikely if the form arrives just a day or two late), appeal immediately and give details of when you first asked for the required information from your pension scheme and point out the difficulties you had trying to register for self assessment online.

Jemma01

You should call HMRC, don't take risks, they're not forgiving. They'll help you submit the form while you're on a call with them.

Woodstok2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82156945#Comment_82156945

It is form SA101.