Overpayments and tax return

[Uninspirednamewise]

When I filled in last year's tax return, it told me not only that I had to pay some additional tax for tax year 2015/16, but also that I had to make two payments on account for tax year 2016/17 (one by 31 January, the other by 31 July I think) which I duly did. Now I am filling in my tax return for 2016/17 and I can't see anywhere to say that I have already made payments on account for 2016/17. The calculation is telling me that I need to pay an amount in tax, but that amount is less than the payments that I have already made on account for this year. I can see having checked my account that HMRC has a record that I made those payments. So am I safe not to make the payment that my tax return tells me is due, on the basis that that amount will simply be deducted from the amount that I have already paid on account for 2016/17. Or if not, where on the tax return am I supposed to tell HMRC about the payments on account? TIA

No one can safely advise when it comes to HMRC. Phone them.

You should get a statement published to your online account a few days following submission. This will show the payments on acount as well as the new calculation.

If you disagree with the statement you can call them. Until you submit though I don't think you will get that overall picture.

Oh and bear in mind that you'll have a new payment on account for the coming year to factor in too. So even if your tax is less than you've paid on account, is it less than that amount plus 50% of the new payment on account. If not then you'll still have a balance to pay by 31st Jan.

Thank you. It sounds like the best thing to do is submit the return asap. I was a bit concerned that I might have missed somewhere on the tax return where I was supposed to mention the overpayments, but from what you say that's not the case.

No problem. Definitely submit asap. It's not like declaring a loss you carried forward as it isn't affecting the calculation of tax owed. It's just a payment on your self assessment account which will only be reconciled once you submit and they produce the statement. I honestly wouldn't worry.

Tax return calculations never show amounts paid already as required. You will receive a separate statement which will give the full picture but if you have paid more than the Return has calculated due then you will have overpaid. As the first instalment for 2017-18 is due 31 Jan the overpayment will be set against that.