The prospect of completing a Self Assessment tax return by yourself can be daunting. If you’ve ever spent hours hunting down receipts, working out expenses, or trying to decipher what on earth that HMRC question means then you’ll know filing a tax return is not as straightforward as it looks. That’s before you even consider the ‘pleasure’ of dealing with HMRC’s ‘‘Tax helpline’’.

So while you can complete your Self Assessment yourself, the bigger question is whether you should. 

A good accountant doesn’t just fill in a few boxes and send your tax return to HMRC. They take responsibility for the process, help you understand what you owe, and give you someone to turn to when your tax affairs aren't quite as straightforward as you expected.

So, while we might be slightly biased, we think there’s a pretty strong case for using an accountant for your Self Assessment. 

Reasons why you should use an accountant for your tax return:

1. Never miss deadlines‍

Say goodbye to the stress of last-minute filings. A good accountant acts as your personal timekeeper, keeping track of all HMRC registration and submission dates. They do more than send reminders; they handle the filings for you and make sure everything is submitted on time. Every year, more than 600,000 people miss the Self Assessment deadline and face fines of at least £100 each. Using an accountant means you’re far less likely to be one of them.

There's another deadline-related headache that often catches people out: payments on account. If you're new to Self Assessment, you might expect to simply pay the tax you've calculated for the previous year. However, if you're required to make payments on account, you could also need to make an advance payment towards your next tax bill. 

For example, if your Self Assessment tax bill is £2,000, you could potentially need to pay £3,000 by January 31st: your £2,000 bill plus a £1,000 payment on account towards the following year's tax. That's a very different cash-flow situation from simply finding £2,000.

An accountant can help you understand what's due, when it's due and what you need to put aside throughout the year.

2. Stay compliant and error-free‍

Self Assessments aren't necessarily difficult because the maths is complicated. It’s difficult because the tax rules can be complicated, and it’s easy to get the details wrong. An accountant works with these rules every day. They can check you’ve reported the right income, claimed expenses correctly, and included everything you need to declare.

Common mistakes include:

• Forgetting to report a source of income (such as PAYE income).
• Claiming an expense that isn’t allowable.
• Missing an expense that is allowable.
• Getting confused between turnover, expenses, and taxable profit.
• Misunderstanding payment on account.
• Forgetting about income from a second job or side hustle.
• Entering figures in the wrong section of your return.
• Missing information that could affect your tax calculation.

Here’s the thing to remember: the biggest mistake isn’t always paying too little tax, it can be paying far too much tax too. If you don't know what you're entitled to claim, you could end up with a higher tax bill simply because you've missed legitimate deductions or reliefs.

Working with an accountant helps make sure your tax return is accurate and compliant, reducing the risk of errors that could lead to an unexpected tax bill, penalties, or an HMRC enquiry.

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3. Stay tax efficient‍

This is one of the biggest reasons to use an accountant for your Self Assessment tax return. An accountant knows what to look for. They'll review your income and expenses with tax in mind, making sure you're claiming the allowable expenses and tax reliefs you're entitled to. They may also spot opportunities that aren't obvious when you're completing your return yourself.

A good accountant looks beyond whether your numbers add up. They ask questions about your circumstances that you might not think to ask yourself.

Example questions:

• You use your car for business - are you using the most appropriate way of calculating your costs?
• You work from home - have you considered what you can claim?
• You have more than one income source - have you included everything?
• You’ve bought equipment for your business - have you considered how this should be treated?

Those questions can make a real difference to your final tax bill. With our Tax Optimiser service, we go a step further by looking for potential savings and opportunities to make your tax position more efficient.

It's not about finding ways around the rules. It's about making sure you're not paying more tax than you need to.

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4. Save time and stress‍

The time and effort spent in tax preparation can be overwhelming. An accountant takes this burden off your shoulders, handling the intricate administrative tasks and filing your return. This not only frees up your time but also saves you the stress of frantically scouring your office for documents or doing hours of tedious calculations.

If you're a freelancer charging £50 an hour and you spend six hours preparing your Self Assessment. That's £300 worth of your time you've spent on tax administration instead of earning money, working on your business or doing something you actually enjoy. Whereas an accountant doing it for you is often cheaper, and in some circumstances, the cost of professional accounting services can itself be an allowable business expense.

Then there’s the inevitable moment where you’re staring at a question on tax return thinking: “What on earth does that mean?”

So instead of spending your evenings googling obscure HMRC terms, why not hand it over to someone who knows what’s needed and what could be missing? An accountant isn't just saving you the hassle. They're giving you that valuable time back.

5. Point out future money-saving opportunities

An accountant can do more than help you deal with what happened last year. They can help you understand the tax implications of decisions you're making now.

If your income changes, your business grows, you take on new work or your circumstances change, the choices you make during the year can affect how much tax you pay.

An accountant can help you plan ahead rather than simply looking backwards at your finances. That might mean helping you:

• Prepare for a larger tax bill so there are no nasty surprises.
• Understand how payments on account could affect your cash flow.
• Decide whether a business expense is worth making from a tax perspective.
• Understand the tax implications of taking on new work or another income stream.
• Plan for changes in your business or personal circumstances.
• Make sure you're taking advantage of relevant tax reliefs and allowances.

Importantly, you can ask the questions before you’ve made the decision, rather than trying to fix things afterwards. The earlier you ask for advice, the more options you may have. 

So, as you can see, there’s a pretty strong case for using an accountant for your Self Assessment tax return.

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How Crunch can save you from a taxing tax filing ordeal

Filing your Self Assessment tax return can often feel like a distracting and frustrating admin mountain to climb. But with Crunch, this taxing ordeal turns into a smooth and stress-free journey. Our approach to tax filing is rooted in experience, driven by expert knowledge, and enhanced with a touch of human warmth

Decades of experience - At Crunch, we bring years of experience to the table. Having filed over 70,000 tax returns! Our history is built on helping small businesses and self-employed individuals navigate tax filing with confidence and ease. We understand the ins and outs of tax laws, ensuring that your returns are not just compliant but optimised for your unique situation.

Glowing reviews - Don't just take our word for it - our clients' experiences speak volumes. With over 1000 positive reviews and testimonials, we've proven time and again that we're more than capable of handling the toughest tax challenges. Our clients value not just our expertise but also our commitment to making their tax filing experiences as seamless as possible.

Team of experts - Our team is composed of highly qualified Chartered accountants and tax experts. They're not just number crunchers; they're advisors who take the time to understand your business and provide tailored guidance.

Real, human support - At Crunch, unlike most online accountants, we believe in the power of real, human interaction. When you're with us, you're not just another number. You receive personalised support from our friendly team, who are always ready to answer your questions, offer advice, and guide you through every step of the tax filing process.

Choosing Crunch for your Self Assessment means more than just getting your taxes done. It means peace of mind, knowing that you're backed by a team that's as invested in your financial success as you are. Say goodbye to tax filing nightmares and hello to a hassle-free experience with Crunch.

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Important deadlines that you need to know as someone self employed

Registering as self employed - October 5th

Paper tax returns - October 31st

Online tax returns - January 31st

Deadline for paying tax owed - January 31st**

** If you want any tax you owe to be automatically taken from your PAYE wage or from a pension, then you must submit your tax return by December 30ths. Please note that this payment method is only for those who are eligible.

Tax sorted - Live the dream again

So, as you can see, there are plenty of reasons why getting an accountant's help with your tax return is worth it. From ditching the stress and saving money, to just freeing up your time so you can get back to business. The reasons speak for themselves!

Self Assessment is an unavoidable and important part of being self-employed. By using an accountant to take care of your tax affairs,   you can return to focusing on doing what you love and finding vocational independence. And that’s what Crunch is all about.