Doing tax return myself-hints and tips please

[WhatALump]

Both DH and I are self employed and usually use an accountant to do our tax returns but in the current climate would like to save some money and do it ourselves.

Are there any hints and tips I should know in advance? I’m a little worried about fucking it up

I'd worry that it might be a false economy, accountants know what they are doing.

My dh claims for the highlighter pens that he uses to highlight his tax return form. He's also all over claiming for the portion of the household bills that will have increased because he's furloughed.

How is your DH furloughed if he's self employed?

It's 2020 why is he completing a paper tax return?

I know it may be a false economy right now but I’m willing to give it a try

I've always done my own, the HMRC webpages are very clear and self-explanatory if you do have queries. You answer some questions at the beginning of the return such as did you work, receive pensions, interest on savings, get money for property etc etc and that tailors the return so you only answer the bits that are relevant to your situation.

Dead easy. Just gather all your info up before you start so it's all to hand.

Look at the one your accountant did for you last year. If you can understand it you’ll probably manage to do it yourself.

I do my DHs I save all receipts throughout the year, and fill in the online form, it’s really easy to do. Lots of good information on the gov website too about what you can claim back etc.

Excellent thank you all.

Start early as if you've not done it before you'll need a gateway number etc which has to come through the post.

I do self assessment (not self-employed) and by and large I think the forms are straight forward and HMRC available for queries. Obviously, the earlier the more time HMRC have to answer Q rather than in January!