I’ve been wondering if self-assessment tax returns are something I can handle on my own or if they absolutely need to be done by an accountant. What’s the general consensus?
It’s pretty straightforward. If you keep your income and expenses organized, it’s mostly just filling out a form. The online system guides you step by step, and last year it took me less than an hour.
Mary said:
It’s pretty straightforward. If you keep your income and expenses organized, it’s mostly just filling out a form. The online system guides you step by step, and last year it took me less than an hour.
I guess I’m just worried I’ll miss something important.
@Vale
As an accountant, I can confirm you don’t need to hire someone if your records are good. The key is to avoid procrastinating—don’t wait until the January deadline. Do it early so you have time to check for missing info or confusing parts. If you decide to do it yourself and get stuck, don’t guess—ask for help.
As an accountant, I’d say you can absolutely do it yourself unless your taxes are unusually complicated. It’s really simple, and even if an accountant does it for you, you’re still liable for any mistakes. So you’re just paying extra without extra protection.
@Gentry
I get an accountant because they know things I don’t. For example, mine saved me money by clarifying rules about mortgage interest for rental properties. They also helped with deductions for renovations. Worth it if your taxes aren’t simple.
@Briar
That’s tax advice, which is different from just filing your taxes. Tax advice can save you money and is worth paying for if your situation isn’t straightforward. But for basic income and expenses, doing it yourself is totally fine.
I used to pay an accountant for my simple taxes, but I realized it was a waste of money. If your situation is basic, you can absolutely do it yourself. HMRC has guides, and the online system simplifies it by only showing the sections that apply to you.
I’ve been doing mine for years, and an accountant once told me the only difference between me doing it and paying them is the fee. The process is designed to be as easy as possible.
I’ve done tax returns for my parents for six years without any tax background. It’s been easy. Most people earning over £50k still hire accountants, though, even other accountants.
My partner and I are self-employed, and we’ve always done our own taxes. Our finances are pretty simple, and there’s plenty of guidance available online.
It’s easy to do. The form walks you through everything. You just plug in your income, deductions, and other details, and it calculates your tax. The key is to have your records ready.
Dakota said:
It’s easy to do. The form walks you through everything. You just plug in your income, deductions, and other details, and it calculates your tax. The key is to have your records ready.
So it’s really that simple?
@Vale
Yep, as long as your finances aren’t overly complex. If you earn over a certain amount, you’re required to self-assess, but you don’t need an accountant unless your situation is tricky.
@Vale
If your income is high, your time might be better spent elsewhere, and hiring an accountant could be worth it.
Give it a try. If you’re unsure about anything, HMRC can help—they’re pretty good at answering questions.
I’ve always done it myself. Sometimes I use the HMRC website for guidance, and once I even used their live chat for help. If your taxes are simple, it’s quick and easy.
You can handle it on your own for basic taxes. The HMRC portal is straightforward. The main value of an accountant is knowing what deductions you can claim. If your finances are simple, doing it yourself is usually better.
My mom, who isn’t great with numbers or technology, has been filing her taxes for years. If she can do it, you’ll be fine!