STYLES & ASSOCIATES
ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES
Serving businesses in Alton, and throughout Hampshire
Self Assessment Tax Return Service in Alton and Hampshire
Styles & Associates is an Alton-based accountancy firm that prepares and files Self Assessment tax returns for sole traders, landlords, company directors and people with untaxed income across Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex. We work out what you owe (or what HMRC owes you), tell you the figure and payment date before we file, and submit the return to HMRC on your behalf.
What is Self Assessment?
Self Assessment is the system HMRC uses to collect Income Tax and National Insurance from income that isn't taxed at source, such as self-employed profits, rental income and some investment income. You report your income and claim reliefs on an annual tax return, and either pay the tax due or receive a refund.
Who needs to file a Self Assessment tax return?
You generally need to file if, in the tax year, you:
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were self-employed (a sole trader) and earned more than £1,000 in gross income
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were a partner in a business partnership
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received property rental income above the £1,000 property allowance
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had £2,500 or more of other untaxed income, such as commission or tips
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had income of over £100,000
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owe Capital Gains Tax on selling assets such as shares or a second property
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received foreign income
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had income over £60,000 and you or your partner receive Child Benefit (the High Income Child Benefit Charge)
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are a company director (most directors must file)
When is the Self Assessment deadline?
For the 2025/26 tax year, file online and pay by 31 January 2027. The paper deadline is 31 October 2026. If you register after 5 October 2026, HMRC will give you a later filing deadline (usually three months from its letter or email), but any tax due must still be paid by 31 January 2027.
Late payment: 5% of the tax unpaid at 30 days, again at 6 months and again at 12 months, plus daily interest from 1 February (Bank of England base rate plus 4%).
If you have a genuine reason for missing a deadline, you can appeal. HMRC accepts things like serious illness or bereavement, but not lack of funds. Source: HMRC / GOV.UK. Check current rates before relying on these figures.
How do you register for Self Assessment?
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Register with HMRC for Self Assessment to get your 10-digit Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR).
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Activate your HMRC online account with the code HMRC sends you.
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Allow 10 working days for the UTR and activation code to arrive by post (21 days if you're abroad).
That's why 5 October matters. Miss it and you may have too little time before 31 January. We can handle the registration as your accountant.
What do you need to complete your return?
Gather:
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Your UTR and National Insurance number
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Sales invoices and business expense records (or your bookkeeping software export)
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P60 or P45, and any P11D
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Bank and building society interest statements
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Dividend vouchers
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Rental income and expense records
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Pension contribution and Gift Aid records
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Records of any shares, property or crypto you sold
If you're self-employed, keep your records for at least 5 years after the 31 January submission deadline.
What has changed for 2026/27? (Tax rates and rules)
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Dividend tax rose on 6 April 2026: 10.75% (basic rate), 35.75% (higher rate), 39.35% (additional rate, unchanged). The dividend allowance stays at £500.
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Personal allowance stays frozen at £12,570 until at least April 2031.
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From April 2027, tax on property and savings income rises by 2 percentage points at each rate (to 22%, 42% and 47%).
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These changes affect most company directors and landlords.
What is Making Tax Digital for Income Tax?
Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax started on 6 April 2026 for sole traders and landlords with qualifying income above £50,000. The threshold drops to £30,000 in April 2027 and £20,000 in April 2028. "Qualifying income" means your gross self-employment and property income before expenses.
If you're in scope, you'll keep digital records and send HMRC quarterly updates through MTD-compatible software, then finish with a final declaration. The 2025/26 return due in January 2027 is still filed the usual way. We can set up MTD-compatible software and handle quarterly updates for you. Already VAT-registered? See our VAT returns service.
What are payments on account?
If your Self Assessment bill is over £1,000 and less than 80% of your tax is already collected at source (for example through PAYE), HMRC asks you to make two advance payments towards next year's bill. Each is 50% of the previous year's tax, due on 31 January and 31 July. This catches many first-time filers out. We tell you the amounts and dates so you can set money aside, and we can apply to reduce them if your income has fallen.
What are payments on account?
If your Self Assessment bill is over £1,000 and less than 80% of your tax is already collected at source (for example through PAYE), HMRC asks you to make two advance payments towards next year's bill. Each is 50% of the previous year's tax, due on 31 January and 31 July. This catches many first-time filers out. We tell you the amounts and dates so you can set money aside, and we can apply to reduce them if your income has fallen.
How do you pay your Self Assessment tax bill?
You can pay by online or telephone banking (Faster Payments) or CHAPS (usually same or next day), by debit or corporate credit card online, by Bacs or cheque (about 3 working days), or by Direct Debit (3–5 working days depending on whether you've set one up with HMRC before). Use your UTR as the payment reference. Pay early, because HMRC must receive the money by the deadline.
How will I know if I'm owed a refund?
If you've overpaid, your Self Assessment calculation will show a refund, and you can claim it through your HMRC account. For PAYE overpayments, HMRC may send a P800 calculation.
How Styles & Associates handles your tax return
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Free consultation: we confirm whether you need to file and which deadline applies.
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Registration: we register you with HMRC and get your UTR if you're new.
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Records check: we collect your figures (or link to your accounting software) and flag missing items.
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Preparation: we prepare the return, claim every allowance you're entitled to, and calculate your tax.
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Your approval: we send you the figures, payment dates and any payments on account before filing.
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Filing and follow-up: we submit to HMRC.
Who we help
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Sole traders and freelancers in Alton, Farnham, Petersfield and across Hampshire
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Landlords with one or many properties
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Company directors taking salary and dividends
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Self Assessment deadline in 2027?
31 January 2027 for filing online and paying any tax due for the 2025/26 tax year. The paper deadline is 31 October 2026.
How much does an accountant charge for a Self Assessment return?
The price depends on your income sources and how organised your records are.
Do I need to file a return if I earned under £1,000 self-employed?
Usually not, thanks to the £1,000 trading allowance, but you might still choose to file to claim losses or prove income. We'll advise.
What happens if I miss the 31 January deadline?
HMRC charges an automatic £100 penalty the next day, even if you owe nothing. More penalties and interest follow the longer you wait. File as soon as you can and contact us if you're behind.
Can you file my return if I'm already late?
Yes. We prepare overdue returns and can help you appeal penalties where you had a reasonable excuse.
How do I register for Self Assessment?
Register with HMRC to get a UTR and activation code. Allow 10 working days. The deadline for new filers in 2026 is 5 October.
Does Making Tax Digital replace my tax return?
Not for 2025/26. If your qualifying income is over £50,000 you must follow MTD rules from 6 April 2026, so you'll send quarterly updates during 2026/27 in addition to a final declaration.
Do you work with clients outside Alton?
Yes: across Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex, and remotely with clients anywhere in the UK.
This page is general guidance, not personal tax advice. Figures are correct at the date shown above.
