Do I need to do a tax return?

[ourmamageddon]

I realise I'm a shit adult but... if I haven't earned anything but have savings then do I need to do a tax return for the tax on savings?

You can earn up to £1000 in interest tax free for this tax year, so you're unlikely to need to pay tax unless you have colossal amounts of savings. So I wouldn't think you'd need to do a tax return.

Are you already registered for self-assessment returns? If so they may expect you to still fill it in but obviously with just the interest mentioned and everything else 0 (even if you won't need to pay any tax for the year).

Basically I haven't done a tax return in about 6 years as I haven't been earning but then remembered something a relative told me years ago about needing to do it because of tax earned on interest. So felt guilty that I ignored the advice (shit adult) & thought I should do a tax return as money is useful right now. So got the code thing that I needed and tried to do it online but it just didn't work and it was annoying and complicated so if I don't have to then that's good news! Even though I'm not getting any money back... but deffo easier option. Hopefully I'll be employed soon but then it's done automatically isn't it?

Yes if employed you would pay through PAYE and it's all done for you.

Maybe give HMRC a call just to double check, they are actually really helpful on the phone.

You wouldn't get any money back either as interest is no longer taxed at source.

I find this very confusing too. I have shares and was told it's only on the divided ends declaring.

This doesn't apply to you at the minute but I thought worth a mention. One other reason a paye employee may do a tax return (or claim tax relief from hmrc) is if you are a higher rate tax payer and pay into a private pension. Pension tax relief (I.e. not paying tax on any pension contributions) is given automatically at 20% so if you are a 40 or 45% tax payer you need to claim back the other 20 or 25% you are owed, as the tax is taken off your gross salary before pension comes out.
www.gov.uk/tax-on-your-private-pension/pension-tax-relief