The tax office has sent out a warning reminding people to register with HMRC before this date if this is their first time filing a self-assessment tax return.

Once they have registered with HMRC, it will send them a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) which is required to fill in a self-assessment tax return.

You can also use a UTR to access details about your earnings or tax return at any time.

The deadline for submitting a paper tax return for 2021 to 2022 is 31 October 2022. If submitting it online the deadline is 31 January 2023. In most cases, the actual tax isn’t due to be paid until the January deadline.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “By registering early, self assessment customers will have plenty of time to prepare and access all the help available to them before they start their first tax return.

“Help and support is available to anyone completing a return, just search ‘Self Assessment’ on GOV.UK.”

Filing early can help with budgeting

By filing early workers can find out exactly how much they will need to pay by the January deadline.

This allows them to budget for it and pay the money at a time that suits them. This may be in a lump sum or through a direct debit agreement to spread the cost.

As we’re in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, and prices are expected to rise further, knowing exactly how much tax is due in advance can make budgeting easier.

If you’re unable to pay your tax bill, help is available. If the bill owed is less than £30,000 it may be possible to arrange a payment plan with HMRC.

How to find out if you need to complete a tax return

It’s not just sole traders or the self employed who need to complete tax returns. There are lots of other scenarios where you may need to send one.

These include the following:

• those who are newly self-employed and earned more than £1,000
• a new partner in a business partnership
• those who have received any untaxed income
• those claiming Child Benefit if they or their partner have an income above £50,000

If you’re not sure if you need to register for self assessment, you can find out by using the free tool on the HMRC website.