Help please! How to reduce self assessment payment on account

[Eve4567]

Hi,

I'll be going on maternity leave from next week - I'm self employed and currently submitting my tax return for 23/24. I'll earn way way less for this next tax year (24 / 25) so would like to reduce my self assessment payments on account. How do i do this? Do i need to submit the tax return and then reduce them or is there a way to request to reduce them before that?

Thank you for any advice!

so…. conceal your true earnings for 23/24 then load 24/25

no, don’t. That’s tax evasion

There is a part to request this on your tax return
It is a box to tick and then a box where you can say why. Just say income for 24/25 will be substantially lower due to maternity leave

@marzipanlover81 I think you misunderstood the question

@Jmaho Thanks - That's what I thought but I can't seem to find it. Is it towards the end? Thank you

..
Try here

Yes, there's a section for you to fill in if you expect your income to drop
It starts off as a yes or no question

Yes, it's right at the end just before you get to the final calculations.

Be careful not to reduce it too much though, as if you end up earning more than expected they can potentially penalise you.