7 Reasons to Complete Your Self Assessment Sooner Rather Than Later
7 Reasons to Complete Your Self Assessment Sooner Rather Than Later
If you’re self-employed or need to file a Self Assessment tax return for the 2024/25 tax year, the deadline of 31 January 2026 might feel like ages away. But trust us—getting it done early is one of the smartest financial moves you can make.
As accountants, we see first-hand the stress, mistakes, and missed opportunities that come from leaving it too late. Here are 7 solid reasons to get your Self Assessment sorted now, not later.
1. Avoid the January Rush
Every year, millions of people leave their tax returns until the last few weeks before the deadline. HMRC systems slow down and our team are swamped with emails.
By getting your paperwork to us early, we can dedicate more time to reviewing your return carefully and ensuring everything is accurate.
2. Plan for Your Tax Bill in Advance
The earlier your return is completed, the sooner you’ll know how much tax you owe. That gives you months to plan, budget, and set aside the funds, instead of scrambling to find the cash just after Christmas.
3. Improve Your Cash Flow
If you’ve overpaid tax through PAYE or payments on account, submitting early means you could receive a refund sooner. Why wait until January for money that’s rightfully yours?
4. Reduce the Risk of Penalties
Late filing automatically triggers a £100 penalty, and additional fines if it drags on. Getting it done early completely removes the risk of missing the 31 January deadline due to illness, tech issues, or last-minute chaos.
5. Free Up Your Time for the Holidays
Nobody wants to spend their festive season hunting for receipts or chasing invoices. By sorting your tax return before December, you can actually enjoy the Christmas break knowing your finances are in order.
6. Give Your Accountant Time to Maximise Your Savings
When we have your information early, we can do more than just file your return — we can review your finances strategically, spotting tax-saving opportunities such as:
- Claiming all allowable expenses
- Optimising pension contributions
- Making the most of tax-free allowances
Last-minute rushes mean fewer opportunities to plan proactively.
7. Peace of Mind
The biggest reason of all — getting your Self Assessment done early simply feels great. No stress, no deadlines hanging over you, and total confidence that your finances are handled professionally.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re ready to take the stress out of personal tax season, send us your paperwork today.
The sooner you get your information to us, the more time we have to help you save money, stay compliant, and avoid the January panic.
Contact us today at enquiries@heriothughes.co.uk to get started.