HMRC shares 5 common reasons for helpline calls

There are a little over three months remaining to file your self-assessment tax return online for 2023-24. The deadline is 31 January 2025. As this date approaches, an increasing number of individuals are reaching out to HMRC’s helpline for help. 

To help ease the demand, HMRC has shared the top five reasons people are calling the self-assessment helpline and is encouraging everyone to use the online resources for quicker access to information.

The 5 most common reasons for calling the helpline are:

1. I no longer need to complete a self-assessment tax return.
2. I need to register for self-assessment.
3. Can you tell me if I still have to complete a tax return?
4. What’s happening with my self-assessment registration?
5. What’s happening with my self-assessment repayment?

Taxpayers may need to complete a tax return, even if they pay taxes through PAYE, for example, if they:

• are self-employed and have earned gross income over £1,000;
• are self-employed and earned up to £1,000 and wish to pay Class 2 NICs voluntarily to protect their entitlement to State Pension and certain benefits;
• are a partner in a business partnership;
• had a total taxable income of more than £150,000;
• have received any untaxed income including pension income over £2,500;
• received income over £1,000 from trading or providing services online;
• have to pay the High Income Child Benefit charge;
• received interest from banks and building societies or investments (more than £10,000); or
• received rental or letting income from UK land and property.

Over 12 million taxpayers need to complete their self-assessment for the 2023-24 tax year and pay any taxes due by the 31 January 2025.