Let’s be honest – nobody enjoys doing their self assessment tax return. Every year as the January deadline gets closer, most of us start feeling that knot in our stomach. We dig through piles of receipts, try to make sense of tax rules that seem to be written in another language and race to meet the deadline. Sound familiar?
Getting a professional to handle your self assessment tax return could be the game-changer you need. It saves you time, stress and might even save you money too. Whether you work for yourself, rent out property, or just have some extra income to report, getting some tax help could make your life a whole lot easier.
Why doing your own self assessment tax return is such a tedious task?
Before I tell you why getting help is great, let’s be real about why doing your taxes yourself can be such a pain:
- Tax rules change all the time (and nobody tells you)
- Working out what you can and can’t claim for is confusing
- Finding tax saving tips that actually work (and won’t get you in trouble)
- Making sense of your different income sources
- Meeting HMRC deadlines so you don’t get fined
- Trying to do your tax preparation while running your business
If you’ve ever found yourself at 11pm Googling “how to fill income tax return” with a mounting sense of panic, trust me – you’re definitely not the only one.
8 Reasons to get help with tour Tax Return
1. You get advice that’s just for you
When someone helps with your tax return filing, they don’t just punch in numbers. They give you taxation advice that fits your own situation.
A good tax accountant will tell you what you can claim for and how to sort out your money in a smarter way. If you’re self-employed, getting a tax return accountant who knows your line of work can be worth their weight in gold.
2. You save loads of time
Let’s be honest – the biggest win when you get help with your self-assessment tax is all the time you get back. Instead of spending your evenings searching “how to file taxes” or trying to work out “how to do income tax return” sums, you can focus on your business or just enjoy your free time.
Most people who run small businesses say they spend over 10 hours sorting their tax returns. That’s more than a whole working day you could use for something better!
3. You’ll make fewer mistakes
HMRC doesn’t really care if you made a mistake by accident – they’ll still come after you. Getting things wrong can mean they investigate you, fine you and cause you a lot of stress. Accounting for tax return needs someone who pays attention and knows the latest rules.
Professional accountants have ways to spot and fix mistakes before they happen, making sure your self assessment return is right the first time.
4. You might pay less tax (legally!)
Did you know you’re probably missing out on things you could claim for? A decent tax return accountant will spot all the expenses you can knock off your tax bill.
If you’re looking for tax saving tips, an accountant or outsourced accountant can show you proper ways to lower what you owe things like business costs, putting money into a pension and lots more.
5. You can stop worrying about it
Maybe the best thing about getting someone to file tax return paperwork for you is how much better you’ll sleep. When you know a pro has checked all your money stuff and done your return properly, that massive weight lifts off your shoulders.
When you hand over your self-assessment tax return to someone else, you can stop stressing about whether you’ve done it right.
6. You won’t get hit with fines
If you file or pay your Self Assessment late, HMRC will fine you—and these fines grow larger the longer you delay.
An accountant makes sure you hit all your deadlines, which can save you from having to pay these nasty fines. While cheap tax returns might look tempting at first, getting fined for mistakes or being late can cost you way more in the end.
7. You get help all year round
Most people don’t realize that tax preparation isn’t just something you do once a year. The best tax return accountants are there for you throughout the whole year, helping you make smarter money choices before the tax year ends.
This kind of forward-thinking approach can save you loads of money, especially if you’re self-employed or have complicated finances.
8. It actually saves you money in the long run
When you’re thinking about getting help with your tax return, you need to weigh up the costs against what you get. Yes, you pay for accounting tax return services, but the money you save on tax, the time you get back and avoiding those HMRC fines usually makes it well worth it.
Lots of places offering small business tax help have different packages depending on what you need and can afford. Whether you want cheap accountants for self employed people or a more full-on tax return consultation, you can find something that works for you.
Who gets the most out of getting help with their taxes?
While pretty much anyone can benefit from professional tax help, these people usually find it most useful:
If you need a self-employed tax specialist or a personal tax return accountant, it’s worth thinking about exactly what kind of help you need.
How to pick the right accountant for your tax return?
When you’re looking for tax filing accountant services, think about:
- What they’re good at: Do they know about your specific situation? A self assessment tax advisor who has worked with people like you before will give you better advice.
- Their qualifications: Are they properly trained and registered? Look for accountants who have proper certificates and memberships.
- What other people say: Have a look at their reviews. The best tax return accountant for you will have happy customers who are in similar situations to you.
- How they talk to you: Do they explain things in a way that makes sense? Good income tax advice should be easy to understand, not full of fancy words you don’t get.
- How much they charge: Are they clear about their fees? While you shouldn’t just go for the cheapest, you should know exactly what you’re paying for.
Wrapping up
Yes, you can definitely do your self assessment tax return yourself. But getting a professional to help offers so many benefits beyond just ticking a box for HMRC.
From getting proper taxation advice and saving tons of time, to sleeping better at night and possibly paying less tax, working with an accountant for tax returns can turn a stressful nightmare into something much more manageable.
If you’re sick of battling with tax forms and worried about making expensive mistakes, maybe it’s time to look into professional tax preparation help. Instead of asking “Can I afford an accountant?” perhaps the real question is “Can I afford the hassle of doing it myself?”
Remember, it’s not just about getting your self assessment forms filed it’s about handling your taxes in the smartest way while focusing on the things that really matter to you.
Questions people often ask about getting help with tax returns
How much does it cost to get someone to do my self-assessment return?
What stuff do I need to give my accountant?
Is it safe to share all my money details with them?
How will I know where to file tax return papers?
Is it too late to get help if I’ve left it to the last minute?
Parul is a content specialist with expertise in accounting and bookkeeping. Her writing covers a wide range of accounting topics such as payroll, financial reporting and more. Her content is well-researched and she has a strong understanding of accounting terms and industry-specific terminologies. As a subject matter expert, she simplifies complex concepts into clear, practical insights, helping businesses with accurate tips and solutions to make informed decisions.
