

Video guidance to help you understand if you need to register for VAT/p>
This short video developed by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), will help you decide whether or not you need to register your business for VAT.
This short HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) video shows you how to submit your VAT return online.
Video guidance on VAT record keeping
This short HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) video explains the importance of good record keeping for VAT purposes.
Please note: the VAT registration threshold changes each financial year - make sure to check the current VAT registration thresholds.
Helping businesses make a decision on whether to charge VAT on sales
This short video (1 minute and 48 seconds) outlines the factors determining when you must register for VAT.
HMRC e-learning tool to help you get started with VAT for your business
Just started your own business? If so, you may be unsure about if you need to register for VAT or, you may have decided that you want to register for VAT but unsure how to go about it.
This HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) e-learning tool will help you get started with VAT.
E-learning course outlining how businesses charge VAT, reclaim VAT, VAT returns and VAT accounting schemes
Have you registered for VAT? You may have a lot of questions about how and when to charge VAT, how you claim it back, and how VAT works.
This HM Revenue & Customs e-learning tool will help you gain a better understanding of how VAT works.
Choose the VAT accounting scheme that works best for your business
Helps you choose the VAT accounting scheme that works best for your business.
Understand the importance of good record-keeping for VAT purposes
This short HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) video explains the importance of good record-keeping for VAT purposes.
Helping businesses make a decision on whether to charge VAT on sales
This short video (1 minute and 48 seconds) outlines the factors determining when you must register for VAT.
HMRC e-learning tool to help you get started with VAT for your business
Just started your own business? If so, you may be unsure about if you need to register for VAT or, you may have decided that you want to register for VAT but unsure how to go about it.
This HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) e-learning tool will help you get started with VAT.
E-learning course outlining how businesses charge VAT, reclaim VAT, VAT returns and VAT accounting schemes
Have you registered for VAT? You may have a lot of questions about how and when to charge VAT, how you claim it back, and how VAT works.
This HM Revenue & Customs e-learning tool will help you gain a better understanding of how VAT works.
Choose the VAT accounting scheme that works best for your business
Helps you choose the VAT accounting scheme that works best for your business.
Understand the importance of good record-keeping for VAT purposes
This short HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) video explains the importance of good record-keeping for VAT purposes.
How to register with HM Revenue & Customs for Self Assessment
You will need to register for Self Assessment with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) if you have to send a tax return but didn't send one the previous year.
You should note that it can take up to 20 working days to complete the registration process. You should take this into consideration to give yourself plenty of time to complete your Self Assessment return ahead of the 31 January deadline.
Watch this short HMRC video explaining how to register your new business online with HMRC so that you can complete a Self Assessment return.
Important deadline dates for your Self Assessment tax returns
You must send your Self Assessment tax return and pay any tax you owe to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) on time. There are a number of deadlines for Self Assessment that you must keep in mind.
The last tax year started on 6 April 2019 and ended on 5 April 2020.
If you fail to meet the deadline you may have to pay a penalty.
Submit your online return by 30 December if you want HMRC to automatically collect tax you owe from your wages and pension. You must be eligible.
HMRC must receive a paper tax return by 31 January if you're a trustee of a registered pension scheme or a non-resident company. You can't send a return online.
How to complete and submit your Self Assessment tax return online
Watch this short HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) video with simple guidance on how to fill in and submit your Self Assessment tax return. This video is particularly useful if you are completing your first Self Assessment tax return.
How to view your online tax calculation for Self Assessment
When you use HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) online tax return it automatically works out how much you have to pay by providing you with a result of your calculation.
View this short HMRC video explaining how to view your Self Assessment calculation:
How to pay your Self Assessment tax bill
Your tax bill refers to your bill for income tax and any Class 4 National Insurance contributions you may owe to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
View this short HMRC video explaining how you pay your Self Assessment tax bill including various payment methods and payment deadline dates:
Penalties that can be applied if you fail to submit and pay your Self Assessment on time
You may face paying a penalty if you don't submit your Self Assessment tax return on time. You may also face a penalty if you don't pay the tax you owe to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) by the appropriate deadline.
View this short HMRC video explaining the penalties that can be applied in the Self Assessment system:
How to budget and prepare for your Self Assessment tax bill
View this short HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) video explaining how you can budget and prepare ahead for your Self Assessment tax bill including how to use the Ready Reckoner tool for the self-employed and information on the budget payment plan:
Expenses you can claim if you’re self-employed and listing these in your tax return
If you are self-employed you may need to understand pre-trading expenses, day to day revenue expenses, capital allowances and using flat rates or simplified expenses. Access the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) self-employed business expenses e-learning tool.
You can also view this short HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) video explaining expenses you can claim if you're self-employed and how to account for these in your Self Assessment tax return:
You must arrange to pay your tax bill with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if you either miss a payment or know you cannot pay on time
You must arrange to pay your tax bill with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if you either:
If you pay a tax bill late you must pay interest on the amount you owe until it’s paid off. You can avoid penalties by arranging a payment plan with HMRC before the tax is due.
If you owe Self Assessment tax and your bill is less than £30,000 you may be able to pay in monthly instalments.
For any other bills or problems paying, you must contact HMRC to discuss your options. How you contact HMRC depends on what you need to pay.
You may be able to pay your Self Assessment tax in monthly instalments. This includes any delayed (deferred) ‘payments on account’ that were due in July 2020, if you did not pay them at the time.
Contact the HMRC coronavirus (COVID-19) helpline if you cannot pay any other tax bills because of coronavirus.
If your business has been affected by coronavirus (COVID-19), you may be able to claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
You can set up a payment plan online to spread the cost of your latest Self Assessment bill if:
You do not need to contact HMRC if you set up a payment plan.
Call the Self Assessment helpline if you’re not eligible for a payment plan or cannot use the online service.
You might be able to set up a Time to Pay Arrangement with HMRC if you’re unable to pay any other taxes in full. This lets you spread the cost of your tax bill by paying what you owe in instalments.
How you do this depends on whether you’ve received a payment demand.
If you’ve received a payment demand, like a tax bill or a letter threatening you with legal action, call the HMRC office that sent you the letter.
If you’ve not received a bill or letter, call the Payment Support Service (PSS).
Nominated partners in business partnerships can negotiate a Time to Pay Arrangement with HMRC on behalf of the partnership or individual partners.
You’ll need to know:
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will ask you about:
HMRC will decide whether you should be able to pay immediately. If you cannot, they’ll decide whether you’ll be able to get your payments back on track with more time.
You’ll be asked more in-depth questions if you’ve been given more time to pay before. In more complex cases HMRC may ask for evidence before they make a decision.
You’ll have to pay immediately if HMRC think you can when you call. You can pay by Direct Debit, corporate credit card or debit card over the phone.
You’ll be charged a fee if you pay by credit card. The fee is not refundable.
If you cannot pay all your tax bill, you may be able to:
HMRC may offer you extra time to pay if they think you genuinely cannot pay in full now but will be able to pay in the future.
You can set up a plan to pay in instalments by Direct Debit on dates they agree with you.
Tell HMRC as soon as possible if your circumstances change and you can pay your tax bill faster.
You’ll have to pay interest on the amount you pay late.
You must keep these payments up to date and pay your other tax. If you do not, HMRC will normally cancel the arrangement and take legal action against you straight away.
If HMRC do not think you can get your payments on track with more time, they will not make an arrangement with you - they’ll expect you to pay your tax bill straight away.
If you do not, HMRC will start ‘enforcement action’ to get the money from you.
The Money Advice Service has more information about debt management and where you can get free debt advice.
You can also contact HMRC.
You cannot appeal against HMRC’s decision, but you can make a complaint if you’re unhappy about how you were treated.
How to register with HM Revenue & Customs for Self Assessment
You will need to register for Self Assessment with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) if you have to send a tax return but didn't send one the previous year.
You should note that it can take up to 20 working days to complete the registration process. You should take this into consideration to give yourself plenty of time to complete your Self Assessment return ahead of the 31 January deadline.
Watch this short HMRC video explaining how to register your new business online with HMRC so that you can complete a Self Assessment return.
Important deadline dates for your Self Assessment tax returns
You must send your Self Assessment tax return and pay any tax you owe to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) on time. There are a number of deadlines for Self Assessment that you must keep in mind.
The last tax year started on 6 April 2019 and ended on 5 April 2020.
If you fail to meet the deadline you may have to pay a penalty.
Submit your online return by 30 December if you want HMRC to automatically collect tax you owe from your wages and pension. You must be eligible.
HMRC must receive a paper tax return by 31 January if you're a trustee of a registered pension scheme or a non-resident company. You can't send a return online.
How to complete and submit your Self Assessment tax return online
Watch this short HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) video with simple guidance on how to fill in and submit your Self Assessment tax return. This video is particularly useful if you are completing your first Self Assessment tax return.
How to view your online tax calculation for Self Assessment
When you use HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) online tax return it automatically works out how much you have to pay by providing you with a result of your calculation.
View this short HMRC video explaining how to view your Self Assessment calculation:
How to pay your Self Assessment tax bill
Your tax bill refers to your bill for income tax and any Class 4 National Insurance contributions you may owe to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
View this short HMRC video explaining how you pay your Self Assessment tax bill including various payment methods and payment deadline dates:
Penalties that can be applied if you fail to submit and pay your Self Assessment on time
You may face paying a penalty if you don't submit your Self Assessment tax return on time. You may also face a penalty if you don't pay the tax you owe to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) by the appropriate deadline.
View this short HMRC video explaining the penalties that can be applied in the Self Assessment system:
How to budget and prepare for your Self Assessment tax bill
View this short HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) video explaining how you can budget and prepare ahead for your Self Assessment tax bill including how to use the Ready Reckoner tool for the self-employed and information on the budget payment plan:
Expenses you can claim if you’re self-employed and listing these in your tax return
If you are self-employed you may need to understand pre-trading expenses, day to day revenue expenses, capital allowances and using flat rates or simplified expenses. Access the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) self-employed business expenses e-learning tool.
You can also view this short HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) video explaining expenses you can claim if you're self-employed and how to account for these in your Self Assessment tax return:
You must arrange to pay your tax bill with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if you either miss a payment or know you cannot pay on time
You must arrange to pay your tax bill with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if you either:
If you pay a tax bill late you must pay interest on the amount you owe until it’s paid off. You can avoid penalties by arranging a payment plan with HMRC before the tax is due.
If you owe Self Assessment tax and your bill is less than £30,000 you may be able to pay in monthly instalments.
For any other bills or problems paying, you must contact HMRC to discuss your options. How you contact HMRC depends on what you need to pay.
You may be able to pay your Self Assessment tax in monthly instalments. This includes any delayed (deferred) ‘payments on account’ that were due in July 2020, if you did not pay them at the time.
Contact the HMRC coronavirus (COVID-19) helpline if you cannot pay any other tax bills because of coronavirus.
If your business has been affected by coronavirus (COVID-19), you may be able to claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
You can set up a payment plan online to spread the cost of your latest Self Assessment bill if:
You do not need to contact HMRC if you set up a payment plan.
Call the Self Assessment helpline if you’re not eligible for a payment plan or cannot use the online service.
You might be able to set up a Time to Pay Arrangement with HMRC if you’re unable to pay any other taxes in full. This lets you spread the cost of your tax bill by paying what you owe in instalments.
How you do this depends on whether you’ve received a payment demand.
If you’ve received a payment demand, like a tax bill or a letter threatening you with legal action, call the HMRC office that sent you the letter.
If you’ve not received a bill or letter, call the Payment Support Service (PSS).
Nominated partners in business partnerships can negotiate a Time to Pay Arrangement with HMRC on behalf of the partnership or individual partners.
You’ll need to know:
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will ask you about:
HMRC will decide whether you should be able to pay immediately. If you cannot, they’ll decide whether you’ll be able to get your payments back on track with more time.
You’ll be asked more in-depth questions if you’ve been given more time to pay before. In more complex cases HMRC may ask for evidence before they make a decision.
You’ll have to pay immediately if HMRC think you can when you call. You can pay by Direct Debit, corporate credit card or debit card over the phone.
You’ll be charged a fee if you pay by credit card. The fee is not refundable.
If you cannot pay all your tax bill, you may be able to:
HMRC may offer you extra time to pay if they think you genuinely cannot pay in full now but will be able to pay in the future.
You can set up a plan to pay in instalments by Direct Debit on dates they agree with you.
Tell HMRC as soon as possible if your circumstances change and you can pay your tax bill faster.
You’ll have to pay interest on the amount you pay late.
You must keep these payments up to date and pay your other tax. If you do not, HMRC will normally cancel the arrangement and take legal action against you straight away.
If HMRC do not think you can get your payments on track with more time, they will not make an arrangement with you - they’ll expect you to pay your tax bill straight away.
If you do not, HMRC will start ‘enforcement action’ to get the money from you.
The Money Advice Service has more information about debt management and where you can get free debt advice.
You can also contact HMRC.
You cannot appeal against HMRC’s decision, but you can make a complaint if you’re unhappy about how you were treated.
How to register with HM Revenue & Customs for Self Assessment
You will need to register for Self Assessment with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) if you have to send a tax return but didn't send one the previous year.
You should note that it can take up to 20 working days to complete the registration process. You should take this into consideration to give yourself plenty of time to complete your Self Assessment return ahead of the 31 January deadline.
Watch this short HMRC video explaining how to register your new business online with HMRC so that you can complete a Self Assessment return.
Important deadline dates for your Self Assessment tax returns
You must send your Self Assessment tax return and pay any tax you owe to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) on time. There are a number of deadlines for Self Assessment that you must keep in mind.
The last tax year started on 6 April 2019 and ended on 5 April 2020.
If you fail to meet the deadline you may have to pay a penalty.
Submit your online return by 30 December if you want HMRC to automatically collect tax you owe from your wages and pension. You must be eligible.
HMRC must receive a paper tax return by 31 January if you're a trustee of a registered pension scheme or a non-resident company. You can't send a return online.
How to complete and submit your Self Assessment tax return online
Watch this short HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) video with simple guidance on how to fill in and submit your Self Assessment tax return. This video is particularly useful if you are completing your first Self Assessment tax return.
How to view your online tax calculation for Self Assessment
When you use HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) online tax return it automatically works out how much you have to pay by providing you with a result of your calculation.
View this short HMRC video explaining how to view your Self Assessment calculation:
How to pay your Self Assessment tax bill
Your tax bill refers to your bill for income tax and any Class 4 National Insurance contributions you may owe to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
View this short HMRC video explaining how you pay your Self Assessment tax bill including various payment methods and payment deadline dates:
Penalties that can be applied if you fail to submit and pay your Self Assessment on time
You may face paying a penalty if you don't submit your Self Assessment tax return on time. You may also face a penalty if you don't pay the tax you owe to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) by the appropriate deadline.
View this short HMRC video explaining the penalties that can be applied in the Self Assessment system:
How to budget and prepare for your Self Assessment tax bill
View this short HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) video explaining how you can budget and prepare ahead for your Self Assessment tax bill including how to use the Ready Reckoner tool for the self-employed and information on the budget payment plan:
Expenses you can claim if you’re self-employed and listing these in your tax return
If you are self-employed you may need to understand pre-trading expenses, day to day revenue expenses, capital allowances and using flat rates or simplified expenses. Access the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) self-employed business expenses e-learning tool.
You can also view this short HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) video explaining expenses you can claim if you're self-employed and how to account for these in your Self Assessment tax return:
You must arrange to pay your tax bill with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if you either miss a payment or know you cannot pay on time
You must arrange to pay your tax bill with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if you either:
If you pay a tax bill late you must pay interest on the amount you owe until it’s paid off. You can avoid penalties by arranging a payment plan with HMRC before the tax is due.
If you owe Self Assessment tax and your bill is less than £30,000 you may be able to pay in monthly instalments.
For any other bills or problems paying, you must contact HMRC to discuss your options. How you contact HMRC depends on what you need to pay.
You may be able to pay your Self Assessment tax in monthly instalments. This includes any delayed (deferred) ‘payments on account’ that were due in July 2020, if you did not pay them at the time.
Contact the HMRC coronavirus (COVID-19) helpline if you cannot pay any other tax bills because of coronavirus.
If your business has been affected by coronavirus (COVID-19), you may be able to claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
You can set up a payment plan online to spread the cost of your latest Self Assessment bill if:
You do not need to contact HMRC if you set up a payment plan.
Call the Self Assessment helpline if you’re not eligible for a payment plan or cannot use the online service.
You might be able to set up a Time to Pay Arrangement with HMRC if you’re unable to pay any other taxes in full. This lets you spread the cost of your tax bill by paying what you owe in instalments.
How you do this depends on whether you’ve received a payment demand.
If you’ve received a payment demand, like a tax bill or a letter threatening you with legal action, call the HMRC office that sent you the letter.
If you’ve not received a bill or letter, call the Payment Support Service (PSS).
Nominated partners in business partnerships can negotiate a Time to Pay Arrangement with HMRC on behalf of the partnership or individual partners.
You’ll need to know:
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will ask you about:
HMRC will decide whether you should be able to pay immediately. If you cannot, they’ll decide whether you’ll be able to get your payments back on track with more time.
You’ll be asked more in-depth questions if you’ve been given more time to pay before. In more complex cases HMRC may ask for evidence before they make a decision.
You’ll have to pay immediately if HMRC think you can when you call. You can pay by Direct Debit, corporate credit card or debit card over the phone.
You’ll be charged a fee if you pay by credit card. The fee is not refundable.
If you cannot pay all your tax bill, you may be able to:
HMRC may offer you extra time to pay if they think you genuinely cannot pay in full now but will be able to pay in the future.
You can set up a plan to pay in instalments by Direct Debit on dates they agree with you.
Tell HMRC as soon as possible if your circumstances change and you can pay your tax bill faster.
You’ll have to pay interest on the amount you pay late.
You must keep these payments up to date and pay your other tax. If you do not, HMRC will normally cancel the arrangement and take legal action against you straight away.
If HMRC do not think you can get your payments on track with more time, they will not make an arrangement with you - they’ll expect you to pay your tax bill straight away.
If you do not, HMRC will start ‘enforcement action’ to get the money from you.
The Money Advice Service has more information about debt management and where you can get free debt advice.
You can also contact HMRC.
You cannot appeal against HMRC’s decision, but you can make a complaint if you’re unhappy about how you were treated.