Reply to: Self Assessment Returns - Permanent Employee

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

Rejoice in the fact that once you've got your activation code, it will take you all of 10 minutes to fill in the boxes, double-check it and submit it.

[coolguycp1]

Hmmm…you should be correct, I have a UTR already, so I should just register for online services only.

The joys of filing a SA return!!

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

If you've received a notice from HMRC to file a return the you are already registered for self assessment (you have a UTR). You just need to register for online services. Not the same thing.

[coolguycp1]

Ah ! I see !!

I need to register for SA by 5th October, however, I can file an online return upto 31st January 2014. Gives me some peace of mind

@TheCyclingProgrammer

I was registered for SA by my accountant a few years ago when I was contracting, however, as I am a permie now, I don't want to fork out £200 to my accountant (who are still registered with HMRC as my agent) to file the returns due on account of receiving Child Benefit, and hence the requirement to personally register for SA.

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

I thought everyone needing to declare Child Benefit needs to register for SA before 5th Ocotber, otherwise some penalty may be imposed?

Looking at the HMRC website, it seems the 5 Oct deadline is for registering for self assessment.

It sounds to me like you're already registered for SA, but not for submitting online. So I don't think that deadline applies.

Edit: if you are already registered and have a UTR you don't need to fill out an SA1. Just register for HMRC online services, enter your UTR and details and you'll be registered. Then wait for the code to activate the SA service.

[coolguycp1]

Yes. You've got until January though.

I thought everyone needing to declare Child Benefit needs to register for SA before 5th Ocotber, otherwise some penalty may be imposed?

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

I have trawled through the HMRC website for registering for SA. Dont think the website is as clear as I thought.

Do I need to fill form SA1 in my circumstances?

If HMRC have already asked you to submit one, then yes you do, unless you ring them and can get them to withdraw the request to submit a return.

The website also suggests that an activation code will be sent out by HMRC which takes about 7 working days, before I will be able to file my own SA online. Is it true?

Yes. You've got until January though.

[coolguycp1]

I have trawled through the HMRC website for registering for SA. Dont think the website is as clear as I thought.

Do I need to fill form SA1 in my circumstances?

The website also suggests that an activation code will be sent out by HMRC which takes about 7 working days, before I will be able to file my own SA online. Is it true?

[Clare@InTouch]

Thanks again Clare,

You are a star !

One final query ...my accountant should still be recorded as my agent for HMRC SA purposes, and I suppose he has my login details for SA.

Do I need to ask him for my login details for filing SA myself, or would the agent need to be amended/deleted first from HMRC systems?

The agent ID is totally separate, and won't affect your access at all. You'll just need to set up an account at HMRC Online and register for Self Assessment. If the accountant is still your agent then they'll get copies of your statements and be able to view your account online, but you can always delete them from your account if you prefer.

You're very welcome

[coolguycp1]

Thanks again Clare,

You are a star !

One final query ...my accountant should still be recorded as my agent for HMRC SA purposes, and I suppose he has my login details for SA.

Do I need to ask him for my login details for filing SA myself, or would the agent need to be amended/deleted first from HMRC systems?

[Clare@InTouch]

Thanks Clare.

While I go and check my income, do I need to re-register for SA or will the same UTR as last filed by my accountant (for FY 2011-12) will be applicable if I do need to file SA for FY 2012-13?

Also, I was calculating the Childcare Benefit Charge due using this website:-

https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-tax-calculator/main


With regards to the childcare vouchers, as I come under the higher rate tax band for FY2012-13, I was only entitled for £124 of childcare vouchers tax free, while I took a salary sacrifice to get another £119 paid to the voucher provider, so that I could pay a total of £243 via childcare voucher. Which figure should I, therefore, put in the calculator to find out my Childcare Benefit Charge?

Use the same UTR - it's like an NI number in that it never changes and is solely allocated to you, it's just for personal tax rather than PAYE. You'll use it in future if you ever need to do a tax return again too.

Put the whole £243 into the calculator as that's the amount you received, and the overall salary forgone.

[coolguycp1]

Thanks Clare.

While I go and check my income, do I need to re-register for SA or will the same UTR as last filed by my accountant (for FY 2011-12) will be applicable if I do need to file SA for FY 2012-13?

Also, I was calculating the Childcare Benefit Charge due using this website:-

https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-tax-calculator/main


With regards to the childcare vouchers, as I come under the higher rate tax band for FY2012-13, I was only entitled for £124 of childcare vouchers tax free, while I took a salary sacrifice to get another £119 paid to the voucher provider, so that I could pay a total of £243 via childcare voucher. Which figure should I, therefore, put in the calculator to find out my Childcare Benefit Charge?

[Clare@InTouch]

I certainly meet two of the three criteria (earn over £50K gross, recieve child benefit-though it goes in my spouse's bank account), however, I may need to go and check if I am the higher earner.

In case I am not the higher earner in the household, will the responsbility of filing a tax return for declaring child benefit lie with my spouse then? He won't mind as he is running his own LTD. co. and pays for his accountant to do it anyways as part of his annual tax return.

Yes, it's the higher earner that has to declare it and pay back any clawback.

You could always tell HMRC you don't want the benefit if you know you're going to have to pay it back anyway, but that may not be a good choice if things change. It can be better to claim and then repay (so view it as an interest-free loan) because if your circumstances change part way through a year you cannot backdate a claim. So if you don't claim but later realise you could have, you've lost the money.

[coolguycp1]

You may still need to file a return if you earn over £50k, receive child benefit, and are the higher earner.

I certainly meet two of the three criteria (earn over £50K gross, recieve child benefit-though it goes in my spouse's bank account), however, I may need to go and check if I am the higher earner.

In case I am not the higher earner in the household, will the responsbility of filing a tax return for declaring child benefit lie with my spouse then? He won't mind as he is running his own LTD. co. and pays for his accountant to do it anyways as part of his annual tax return.

[northernladuk]

Permie SA does not need an accountant as others have indicated.