Self Assessment Tax Return Checklist
A free, plain-English list of the information your accountant may need for your Self Assessment tax return. No sign-up, no email required.
Free download · PDF · 5 pages · 2025-26 tax year
Get the checklist
Print it, tick off what applies to you and keep it with your paperwork. You can download it straight away.
Who the checklist is for
Gathering everything for a tax return is often the hardest part. This checklist is for anyone who completes a Self Assessment return, or thinks they may need to, and wants to get the paperwork together in one go. It works whether you are:
- Employed with extra income on the side
- Self-employed, freelance or working as a subcontractor
- A landlord with one property or several
- A company director taking salary and dividends
- An investor with savings, shares or gains to report
- Some mixture of all of the above
Not everything will apply to you. Tick what is relevant, ignore what is not, and flag anything you are unsure about. That is exactly the kind of thing we are happy to talk through.
What it covers
The checklist is split into nine short sections:
- 01
Start here
Your personal details, UTR, changes during the year, last year's return and any payments already made to HMRC.
- 02
Employment, benefits and pensions
P60s, P45s, P11Ds, redundancy or termination payments, State and private pensions and taxable benefits.
- 03
Self-employment and freelance income
Sales, business expenses, mileage, equipment bought and any CIS deduction statements.
- 04
UK property and rental income
Rent received, letting agent statements, repairs, finance costs and details of any property bought or sold.
- 05
Savings, investments and company income
Bank interest, dividends, investment statements and income from a company you own or run.
- 06
Capital gains and disposals
Sales or gifts of property, shares and other assets, with purchase costs and dates.
- 07
Foreign income and residence
Overseas income, time spent abroad and any foreign tax already paid.
- 08
Reliefs, allowances and claims
Pension contributions, Gift Aid donations, Marriage Allowance and other claims you may be entitled to.
- 09
Before you send everything
A final check so nothing is missed and anything you are unsure about is flagged.
A deadline is not a target
For most people, an online return and the balancing payment are due by 31 January after the tax year ends, and paper returns are usually due by 31 October. Getting your information together earlier is calmer, and it gives you time to plan for the bill rather than discover it.
How to use it with Bee & Co
If we already hold something current for you, there is no need to send it twice. Work through the list, send us what applies, and we will come back to you with any questions. If your affairs are more involved, our guide to Self Assessment for high-net-worth individuals covers multiple income streams in more detail, and our taxation services page explains how we prepare returns.
Ready to get your return started?
Or contact us if you would like us to prepare your return.
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Read the guideNot sure which support you need?
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