You must keep records to support the information you report to HMRC on your Self Assessment tax return or through Making Tax Digital for income tax. Here we look at what you need to keep, and for how long.

If you do not have all the information you need to be able to complete your tax return accurately, you can use a provisional or estimated figure. If you do this, it means you do not need to delay submitting your tax return to HMRC and risk getting a late filing penalty.

A key part of Self Assessment is calculating your tax (and, if appropriate, self-employed National Insurance contributions and student loan repayments) due for the tax year. In most cases, HMRC perform this calculation for you based on the information you include on your tax return. 

If you were required to submit a Self Assessment tax return for a particular tax year to HMRC but you did not do so, HMRC may eventually send you a letter which sets out a ‘determination’ of the tax they think you owe for that tax year. If you failed to file more than one tax return you may get ...

To avoid being charged a late filing penalty, make sure you understand when your Self Assessment tax return should be filed.

If HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have delayed using information in their possession, and this results in you not paying enough tax under PAYE, HMRC will sometimes write off the arrears of tax under Extra-Statutory Concession A19 (also known as ESC A19). This guidance is to help you consider ...