Guides / Do I need a tax return?

Do I need to file a Self Assessment tax return?

For the 2025-26 tax year (6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026). Checked against GOV.UK, October 2026.

Most employees and pensioners pay all their tax through PAYE and never need a tax return. But some extra income, or some charges, mean you do. Answer the questions below. They follow the same rules as GOV.UK's own checker. Nothing you enter is stored or sent anywhere.

Has HMRC written asking you to send a 2025-26 tax return?
Did you work for yourself between 6 April 2025 and 5 April 2026?

As a sole trader, a business partner or a company director, even if you had a job as well. This includes selling things you made or bought to resell, odd jobs and gig work.

Did you work as an "off-payroll worker"?

A contractor who provides services to a client through your own limited company, a personal service company, a partnership or another person.

Did you get a pension?
Did any of your income come from UK property or land?

Renting out a property, or a short-term holiday let. Don't count renting a furnished room in your own home: up to £7,500 a year of that is tax-free under Rent a Room.

Did you get more than £10,000 of savings interest?

From bank and building society accounts. Don't count tax-free accounts like ISAs.

Did you get more than £10,000 of dividends (before any tax)?

From UK companies, unit trusts, open-ended investment companies and investment trusts. Not from shares held in an ISA.

Do you need to pay tax on any of these? Tick all that apply.
Do you need to pay any Capital Gains Tax?

For example on a gain from selling shares, a second home, or a personal possession sold for £6,000 or more. Not your car.

Did you hold one of these positions?

Religious minister; Lloyd's underwriter; examiner, exam moderator or invigilator; share fisher; or a globally mobile employee on temporary secondment in the UK.

Are you claiming more than £2,500 in job expenses?
Do you want to claim tax relief on a venture capital scheme or community investment?

Any community investment tax relief, or more than £10,000 of relief in total from the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and Enterprise Investment Scheme.

What was your total income for the year?

Pay before tax and pension contributions, taxable benefits like a company car, pensions, property and investments.

Did you have any of these smaller amounts? Tick all that apply.

These don't need a full return, but HMRC still needs to know.

The main reasons you need a return

For 2025-26, GOV.UK says you must send a return if any of these applied:

You may also need one for untaxed income, such as rent, tips and commission, savings interest, dividends or foreign income. The checker above covers the amounts that decide it.

If HMRC has sent you a letter

If HMRC wrote asking you to send a 2025-26 return, you must send it by the deadline on the letter. If you think you don't need to, contact HMRC and explain why, for example because you stopped working for yourself. Don't just ignore it.

If you need to file

Choosing to file anyway

You can choose to send a return even if you don't have to. For example, to prove you're self-employed (for Tax-Free Childcare or Maternity Allowance), to pay voluntary National Insurance, or to claim tax relief on maintenance payments.

Need to file? The calculator works out your 2025-26 figures, shows which boxes to fill in, and estimates what you'll owe or get back.

Work out my figures - free

Sources

General guidance, not tax advice. This checker follows GOV.UK's rules for 2025-26. If you're unsure, use GOV.UK's checker or contact HMRC.