Paper Returns

By Ann Coleman

Trust and Estate Tax Accountant

With the close of the financial year to 5 April 2023, HMRC will by now have issued notices to file the self-assessment tax returns for the year to 5 April 2023.

However, HMRC is contacting almost 135,000 taxpayers who currently file self-assessment tax returns on paper asking them to phone HMRC if they still require a paper form. The forms to file self-assessment tax returns will no longer be available to download from HMRC.gov.uk.

This is one of HMRC’s ways to encourage people to file their tax returns online. It will also give guidance about how to do this. Individuals contacted by HMRC will receive a notice to file a tax return rather than a paper tax return itself and, if they want to file on paper, they will have to request the form by phoning HMRC.

Not all people who previously sent in their tax returns on paper will receive such a letter. Those aged 70 or over who have not previously submitted online, along with visually impaired filers, will continue to receive a paper tax return automatically.

Tax returns which are submitted online have a filing deadline of 31 January following the end of the tax year, which for the year to 5 April 2023, will be 31 January 2024 while paper returns normally need to be submitted by 31 October following the end of the tax year and so, again, for the year to 5 April 2023 this will be by 31 October 2023.

As paper forms for self-assessment returns will no longer be available to download from the HMRC website and if, you want help with submitting your tax return for the year to 5 April 2023 online, then please do not hesitate to contact us. We are ready to receive your call and we can provide a prompt efficient professional service to submit the tax returns online.