What is the SA1 form for self-assessment?

27 Oct 2023 | Personal tax

Understanding HMRC’s SA1 form is essential for anyone who needs to register with HMRC for tax self-assessment but isn’t self-employed.

It’s specifically designed for individuals with income sources such as rental earnings, certain investments, and savings that aren’t automatically taxed at source.

The SA1 form is essential for ensuring you’re compliant with your tax obligations in these scenarios. While you can print and post the form, these days most people fill it in online.

Read on to learn more about it and how it works.

What is the SA1 form?

The SA1 form is a vital document used by HMRC for individuals to register for self-assessment tax returns.

This form is designed for those who are not self-employed, yet they do have sources of income or gains that fall outside the standard PAYE system.

These are the main scenarios when you’ll need to fill out the SA1 form:

  • Untaxed income not through PAYE: If you have received income that hasn’t been taxed and isn’t collected through your PAYE tax code, and you’re not self-employed.
  • A high-income child benefit charge: This applies if your adjusted net income is over £50,000 and you or your partner continue to receive child benefit payments.
  • Capital gains tax liabilities: You may need to pay capital gains tax, for example, on selling assets like property or shares.
  • Taxable foreign income: If you have taxable foreign income in the UK.
  • Annual income over £100,000: If your yearly income exceeds £100,000, you must fill out the SA1.
  • Income from UK land and property: This includes rental income or other earnings from property in the UK.
  • Income from trusts or settlements: If you receive yearly income from a trust or settlement, you may need to complete the SA1 form.

How to use the SA1 Form

So, how do you submit your info through the SA1 form?

  1. Obtain the form: The SA1 form is accessible from the HMRC website. Most people will fill it in online, but you can print it and send it via post.
  2. Fill in the details: Carefully complete the SA1 form. You’ll need to provide personal information, including your full name, address, date of birth and National Insurance number. Additionally, you must specify the reasons for needing self-assessment, such as income from property, investments or overseas sources. This information helps HMRC understand your tax situation.
  3. Submit the form: You can submit the form online or by post. Online submission is generally faster and more convenient, but postal submission does still remain available for those who prefer it.
  4. Receive UTR: After submitting the SA1 form, HMRC will issue a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR). This number is crucial for your tax affairs, as it identifies you to HMRC and is needed for filing your tax returns.

Tips for completing your SA1 form

Correctly completing your SA1 form will help you stay on the right side of HMRC and ensure your calculations are correct:

Here are the key considerations:

1. Start early and plan ahead

You’ll need to register for self-assessment using the SA1 form by 5th October, following your reporting tax year. For instance, if you’re reporting income for the 2023-2024 tax year, you need to register by 5th October 2024.

Once registered, you have until 31st January of the next year to submit your self-assessment tax return.

So, for the 2023-2024 tax year, your self-assessment should be filed by 31st January 2025.

2. Accuracy is key

Ensuring that all the information you provide on your self-assessment form is accurate and up-to-date is essential.

Maintaining a comprehensive record of pertinent documents is crucial to substantiate the information you have submitted. These documents include pay stubs, invoices, receipts and other financial records related to your income and expenses.

Keeping these records organised and easily accessible will help you confidently complete your self-assessment form with the necessary evidence if HMRC requests it.

3. Thoroughly review your SA1 form

One of the most common mistakes when completing a self-assessment form is providing incomplete or incorrect information. To prevent this, double-check every entry before submission.

Ensure all fields are filled out accurately, and no crucial details are missing. Review your calculations for accuracy, especially if you report income from various sources or claim deductions.

4. Seek professional advice

If you find the self-assessment process overwhelming or have complex financial circumstances, it may be wise to seek professional assistance.

Accountants or tax advisors can provide expert guidance, help you navigate SA1 and ensure that your tax return is complete and accurate.

Thomas Barrie & Co can assist you with your SA1 form, including totalling your reportable incomes and ensuring accurate information.

Why Choose Thomas Barrie & Co?

Given the complexity of SA1-reportable income, encountering challenges when realising that you need to submit one is not uncommon.

Bringing over five decades of expertise to the table, Thomas Barrie & Co specialises in a wide range of accounting and audit services encompassing self-assessment tax returns.

Our friendly, professional team is adept at navigating the complexities of tax regulations, ensuring our clients comply fully with HMRC requirements.

Contact us today to find out how we can assist you with your self-assessment tax obligations.