Help - I think I've messed up my tax return....

[2k9kids]

I have to fill in a tax self assesment form this year (god knows why they asked me, I'm a sahm and have earned exactly zero pounds all year!)
I didnt do the paper one in time (who has any time with a toddler and a non sleeping baby!!??) so thought I'd do it online.
I sent off for the pin code etc to get online.
Just went on to look at it and you need to activate the pin code within 28days to use it!
Its been more than 28 days now!

What can I do? Its too late to do a paper tax return and now I cant do it online either!!!

HELP - I dont want to get a fine!

See if you can register again and get another pin.

If that doesn't work get on the phone to them tomorrow.

You could try ringing them here, too late for tonight though.

There should be a phone number to get help.

You can request a new pin which you should get within 7 days - I had to do this recently

Ok, don't panic. If you have no tax liability then you will NOT get a fine. If you are correct in what you say and you have no income there is no liability, so no fine.

The rule on fines is that if the liability is under £100 or you get a tax refund then you will not be fined if the return is late.

So, as long as you are sure you have earnt nothing then just file it once yu 28 days are up

ah, got the wrong end of the stick re the pin do as daisymoo said! but also don't panic if its a bit late

2k9kids, are you sure you need to fill in a self-assessment form? I am in paid employment PAYE and don't have to because I don't fall into specific categories, like self-employed, etc. Instead, I just have to update the tax office with some finer details about my non-employment income, like from interest, etc every few years.

I in fact called up the tax office and said I WANT to file a self-assessment form (I like to because I tend to get tax refunds) and they were not keen.

If you are interested, let me know and I will go home and check my tax file for the categories of people that need to file self-assessment tax returns. I can't imagine SAHMs would need to? It will get the HMRC off your back for maybe this and future tax years.

I was self employed last tax year and had to fill in one then but have since closed the business and am now sahm.
I guess after filling in this years form with zero income they will not send me one next year? Hope so anyway lol
Thanks though and thanks too Eddas, thats good to know too just in case it ends up being late!

I'm a SAHM (living abroad) and have to fill one in for HMRC each year for letting out my house in UK; my pittance for marking GCSEs and to verify that I am a non-resident, even though dh is employed by the UK Govt.

2k9kids, the HMRC understandably still think you are self-employed and hence sent you a self-assessment form.

If you have income from self-employment during the tax year, you will still have to file the return. I would suggest you call the HMRC to tell them you are now SAHM and what you need to do to ensure you don't get a form next year eg they might tell you to fill in the additional info box on the return or mention in your covering letter about your change in circumstances.

if you didn't put in a cessation date then that's why you have a return to fill in. They should realise after this return that you no longer need them.

Make sure it is clear that self employment has ceased.

If you haven't had a letter from HMRC telling you they will no longer send returns, by say end of Feb, I would ring them. They are so far behind with everything and if they do issue yet another return then you will have to fill it in. It's ridiculous, but they cannot cancel a form once it's been issued!

Can you use the same pin as last year or do youneed a new one. Need to dh soon and just noticed this thread.

Can you use the same pin as last year or do youneed a new one. Need to dh soon and just noticed this thread.

MrsSanta, AFAIK, you need a new pin. The pins expire after a fixed time, a few weeks I believe. Start applying for the new pin now.

thanks