Getting ready for online filing and payment
In this section:
- Compulsory deadlines for online filing - an introduction
- Deadlines for filing your Self Assessment tax return
- Employers' deadlines for filing PAYE forms and returns online
- Managing and paying your VAT online
- Get ready for online-only filing of Company Tax Returns
- Tax agents and advisers - meet compulsory online filing deadlines
- Software developers - how to work with our online services
- Voluntary organisations - help customers file their tax returns
Voluntary organisations - help customers file their tax returns
We know that many voluntary organisations play a valuable role in helping our customers with Self Assessment (SA) - from signposting them to advice to helping them complete their Self Assessment tax returns.
The deadline for returning Self Assessment tax returns on paper has changed to 31 October from this year. Some of our SA customers will - as usual - look to you for help in meeting this deadline, as well as the 31 January deadline for filing online.
This guide gives you access to the support material we've developed to help you fulfil your various roles, along with quick links to guidance and additional information that you can use when helping your customers.
We'll be adding more support and information as the year progresses, so keep checking this page for the latest updates.
On this page:
- Support and resources for you
- Help and support for customers who want to file on paper
- Help and support for customers who want to file online
- Working with people who have disabilities or special needs
Support and resources for you
Much of the supporting material you need can be found on our website. You can find more details about the changes to Self Assessment tax returns, filing and deadlines in our guide: Deadlines for filing your Self Assessment tax return.
Promoting the changes
If you would like to promote the changes to the SA filing dates on your premises, you can download two posters that you can print off and display.
Get the first Self Assessment poster (PDF 79K)
Get the second Self Assessment poster (PDF 79K)
If you would like copies of the pre-printed posters posted to you, call the Self Assessment Orderline Tel 0845 9000 404.
Guidance on the paper tax return
If you require guidance notes, you can either download them or order paper copies. It's always much better to order paper copies of the returns wherever possible.
Self Assessment: the Tax Return 2007-08
You can also phone the Self Assessment Orderline Tel 0845 9000 404.
Support for the online filing service
If you would like to familiarise yourself with the online filing service, you can use our online services demonstrator, which shows you how the filing process works for Self Assessment tax returns.
Self Assessment
Online demonstrator
Our Step-by-step guide takes you through the entire process in an easy
to understand way, with screenshots to illustrate what people will see
and do as they complete their return online. It also covers useful additional
features of the service and where to get more help.
Step-by-step guide to filing your tax return online.
You can also read our guidance on setting up and managing Self Assessment Online.
Help and support for customers who want to file on paper
With the deadline for filing paper returns changing to 31 October this year, our support facilities will ready for your customers who may need help adjusting to the earlier deadline.
Remember that, in many cases, it may be useful to recommend to these customers that they file online if it's appropriate for them to do so. It can save them time, give them a longer deadline and the amount of tax they have to pay will be worked out immediately they submit their returns.
If they haven't filed on paper by 31 October, they can avoid a penalty by filing online before 31 January.
The paper return has also been redesigned this year, to make it easier for people with simpler tax affairs to complete. Customers can download the guidance notes from this website. You can also, in exceptional circumstances, download the paper returns - although it's much better to get pre-printed paper copies from us.
Self Assessment: the Tax Return 2007-08
Detailed guidance on Self Assessment can be found in the Self Assessment section of our website.
Get advice by phone
The Self Assessment Helpline will help your customers with any queries they may have on completing the return, record keeping and deadlines for receipt Tel 0845 900 0444. Open every day from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, apart from Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Face-to-face support
If your customers have queries that they wish to work through face to face with us, they can use our Enquiry Centres. To do this, they should contact the Self Assessment Helpline Tel 0845 9000 444 who will try to assist with the query, and will make arrangements for an appointment at the customer's nearest Enquiry Centre, if one is required.
Find your customer's Enquiry Centre
Help and support for customers who want to file online
Customers can get advice and support with filing online via our website, using printed guides we have produced, on the phone or via email.
Advice on registering to use our online services
It's important that customers realise that they have to register with us first in order to be able to file online using either our free online service, or a third-party product. Details of how customers register and the benefits of online filing are contained in our leaflet 'Online filing is now even easier'.
Online filing is now even easier (PDF 110K).
Your customers can pick up paper copies of the leaflets from our Enquiry Centres. Copies for your organisation can be ordered through the SA Orderline (Tel 0845 9000 404).
Get help online
If your customer has access to the Internet, they can use our guidance on Self Assessment 24 hours a day.
Self Assessment: the Tax Return 2007-08 forms and helpsheets
Customers can also use the Self Assessment Online demonstrator to get a clearer understanding about how the service works before they file for the first time.
Self Assessment Online demonstrator
Printed and downloadable support for online filing
We've also produced some printed guides that your customers may find useful, particularly if they're filing online for the first time. They're downloadable or you can order a stock of them to hand out.
'Online filing is now even easier' shows customers how to register for our online services and shows them how they can get help from us.
Get information on how Online filing is now even easier (PDF 119K)
You can order paper copies for your organisation through the Self Assessment Orderline Tel 0845 9000 404.
If your customer would like to get a paper copy of the leaflet, they can obtain one by visiting their local Enquiry Centre or by calling the Self Assessment Orderline.
Find your customer's Enquiry Centre
Our Step-by-step guide to filing your tax return online can help ‘walk’
your customers through the process. Split into five parts for fast downloading,
the guide is easy to understand, particularly for people who haven’t
used the service before. It also features screenshots at every key stage
so users can familiarise themselves before they start and get help as
they work through their returns.
Get the Step-by-step guide to filing your tax return online.
Support for online filing by phone and email
When your customer needs help with tax issues as they complete their Self Assessment tax return - such as what records they need to keep or questions on what information they need to provide - they can get personal advice through the Self Assessment Helpline. Tel 0845 900 0444. Open every day from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, apart from Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
If they need help with the online aspects of filing - such as registering online, logging in and out, and using the free online software - they should use the Online Services Helpdesk. Tel 0845 60 55 999 (Minicom 0845 366 7805). Open every day from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, apart from Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
For queries about online filing, you can also use email. We will normally respond to enquiries via email within 48 hours.
Email the Online Services Helpdesk
Working with people who have disabilities or special needs
If you're working with people who have disabilities or special needs, we have a range of options to help them.
If your customer has a sight impairment, our website can be accessed using screen readers, keyboard navigation and text-only browsers.
Website accessibility advice for people with disabilities
Many of our publications are available in alternative formats, such as Braille, large print or audio or text CD. It's a good idea for your customers to call their Contact Centre or the Orderline, or to use the facilities in their Enquiry Centre, to establish which options are available for the specific publication they require.
Find your customer's local Enquiry Centre
If your customer is unable to fill in the paper forms themselves and they would like us to help, this can usually be arranged. It's best to call the Self Assessment Helpline to discuss how we can help Tel 0845 900 0444.
If your customer has hearing difficulties, our Enquiry Centres have digital communication aids for the hard of hearing. Customers can also talk to our advisers in Contact Centres via Typetalk or text phones. Tel 0845 366 7805.
If your customer is profoundly deaf, we can arrange a professional interpreter through the RNID.
In some specific cases, we may be able to visit your customers at home.
