Tax return accountant Reading
Filing a tax return can feel complicated, especially when your income comes from multiple sources or your circumstances have changed during the year. At Asmat & Co Accountants, we provide a reliable and professional tax return service in Reading for individuals, self-employed people, landlords, company directors, and small business owners.
Our team takes care of everything from gathering the right information to submitting your return accurately and on time. We make sure you only pay the tax you owe, nothing more.
Who needs to file a self assessment tax return?
HMRC requires you to complete a self assessment tax return if any of the following apply to you:
- You are self-employed as a sole trader and earn more than £1,000 per year
- You are a partner in a business partnership
- You are a company director
- You have rental income from property
- You have income from savings, investments, or dividends above the tax-free allowances
- You have foreign income
- You earn over £100,000 per year
- You or your partner receive Child Benefit and one of you earns more than £60,000
- You have claimed certain tax reliefs or need to pay Capital Gains Tax
If you are unsure whether you need to file, contact us and we will confirm your obligations quickly and clearly, with no obligation.
Self assessment accountant Reading: what our service includes
When you use Asmat & Co as your self assessment accountant in Reading, we handle the entire process on your behalf. This means you do not need to navigate HMRC’s online portal or worry about making errors on your return.
Our self assessment service covers:
- A review of all your income sources to ensure nothing is missed
- Identification of all allowable expenses and deductions to reduce your tax bill
- Calculation of your tax liability, including National Insurance contributions where applicable
- Preparation and online submission of your SA100 tax return to HMRC
- Completion of any supplementary pages required, such as property income (SA105), self-employment (SA103), or foreign income
- Advice on payments on account, so you are not caught out by advance payments due in January and July
- Year-round support if HMRC contacts you with any queries
We work with a wide range of clients across Reading and Berkshire, from first-time filers to experienced business owners with complex tax affairs.
Our tax returns services in Reading
We offer a full range of tax return services in Reading to suit different circumstances. Whether you have straightforward employment income alongside a small amount of rental income, or a complex picture involving multiple businesses and overseas assets, our experienced team has the expertise to manage it accurately.
Self-employed and sole traders
If you are self-employed, we prepare your tax return including your business income and allowable expenses, ensure you claim all relevant reliefs such as the Annual Investment Allowance, and calculate your Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance contributions correctly.
Landlords
Rental income must be declared on your self assessment tax return. We ensure all allowable property expenses are claimed, advise on finance cost restrictions for residential landlords, and help you plan efficiently if you own multiple properties.
Proactive tax advice
Preparing your accounts is only part of what we do. We also review your figures to identify opportunities to reduce your Corporation Tax liability, ensure you are claiming all allowable expenses, and advise on efficient profit extraction strategies such as salary and dividend planning.
Company directors
As a company director, you may have salary, dividends, and other income to report. We ensure your personal self assessment accurately reflects all sources of income and that you are paying the right amount of tax on dividends above the annual dividend allowance.
Capital Gains Tax returns
If you have sold a property, shares, or another asset, you may have a Capital Gains Tax liability to report. We can prepare the relevant sections of your tax return and advise on any available reliefs to reduce the amount of tax you owe. Note that gains on UK residential property must be reported and paid within 60 days of completion, which is separate from the annual self assessment deadline.
Other Services
Explore our full range of professional services for businesses.
Why use an accountant for tax return filing in Reading?
Many people attempt to file their own tax return and end up paying more tax than necessary, missing out on allowances, or making errors that lead to penalties. Using an accountant for tax return filing in Reading gives you several important advantages:
- We identify every allowable expense and deduction you are entitled to claim
- We ensure your return is accurate, reducing the risk of HMRC enquiries
- We submit on time so you never face a late filing penalty
- We advise on your tax liability in advance, so you can plan your cash flow
- We deal with HMRC directly if any questions arise after submission
- We save you significant time and stress at what can be a busy period
For most clients, the cost of using a professional accountant is far outweighed by the tax savings and the peace of mind they gain.
Trust the professionals with your numbers
Self assessment tax return deadlines
Missing an HMRC deadline results in automatic penalties, even if you have no tax to pay. These are the current deadlines for self assessment tax returns:
| Obligation | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Register for self assessment | By 5 October following the end of the tax year |
| Paper self assessment return | 31 October following the end of the tax year |
| Online self assessment return | 31 January following the end of the tax year |
| Tax payment (balancing payment) | 31 January following the end of the tax year |
| First payment on account | 31 January following the end of the tax year |
| Second payment on account | 31 July following the end of the tax year |
For the 2025/26 tax year (6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026), the online submission deadline is 31 January 2027 and the paper deadline is 31 October 2026. We recommend starting the process as early as possible to avoid the January rush.
Late filing and payment penalties
If you miss the deadline, HMRC will impose penalties that increase the longer the delay continues:
| Late filing / payment | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Return filed up to 3 months late | £100 fixed penalty, even if no tax is owed |
| 3 months to 6 months late | £10 per day, up to a maximum of £900 |
| 6 months late | 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater |
| 12 months late | A further 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater |
| Late payment interest | Bank of England base rate plus 2.5%, charged from 1 February |
We strongly advise all clients to engage us well ahead of the deadline. We typically ask for your information by the end of November at the latest to ensure comfortable preparation time for the January filing deadline.Â
Why choose Asmat & Co as your tax return accountant in Reading?
Qualified and experienced team
All our tax return work is carried out or reviewed by qualified accountants with extensive experience in UK personal and business taxation. We keep up to date with HMRC rule changes, allowance adjustments, and new legislation so you do not have to.
Fixed, transparent fees
We agree a fixed fee with you before we start, so there are no unexpected bills when we submit your return. The price we quote is the price you pay.
Proactive tax advice
Preparing your accounts is only part of what we do. We also review your figures to identify opportunities to reduce your Corporation Tax liability, ensure you are claiming all allowable expenses, and advise on efficient profit extraction strategies such as salary and dividend planning.
Proactive tax planning
We do not just file the numbers. We review your overall tax position and advise on legitimate steps you can take to reduce your bill, whether that is through pension contributions, timing of income, or using available allowances more effectively.
Local knowledge, personal service
As an established firm of accountants in Reading, we understand the local business community and the types of tax situations our clients face. You will always deal with a named member of our team, not a call centre.
Other Services
Explore our full range of professional services for businesses.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: what you need to know
HMRC is introducing Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for IT), which will change the way self-employed individuals and landlords report their income. From 6 April 2026, sole traders and landlords with annual income from self-employment or property exceeding £50,000 will be required to use HMRC-compatible software to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC, in addition to an end-of-period statement and a final declaration.
This is a significant change to the way tax returns are managed, and early preparation is important. At Asmat & Co, we are already helping our clients get ready. If you think MTD for IT applies to you, speak to us now and we will guide you through the transition.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tax return accountant in Reading cost?
The cost depends on the complexity of your tax affairs. A straightforward self assessment return for an employed individual with some additional income will be less expensive than one covering multiple income sources, property, and overseas assets. At Asmat & Co, we provide a clear, fixed-fee quote after an initial conversation, so you always know the cost before we begin. Many clients find the fee is covered many times over by the additional reliefs and deductions we identify.
Do I need a self assessment accountant in Reading if I only have employment income?
If your only income is from employment taxed through PAYE, you may not need to file a self assessment return at all. However, if you also have rental income, investment income, dividend income above the annual allowance, or if your income exceeds £100,000, then filing a return is required. If you have claimed expenses through your employment that HMRC has not refunded, or if you believe you have overpaid tax, a return can also result in a tax refund. We can confirm quickly whether you need to file.
What is the self assessment tax return deadline for 2025/26?
For the 2025/26 tax year (6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026), the key deadlines are as follows. You must register with HMRC for self assessment by 5 October 2026 if you have not filed before. If you are filing a paper return, HMRC must receive it by 31 October 2026. If you are filing online, the deadline is 31 January 2027. Your tax payment is also due on 31 January 2027, along with your first payment on account for 2026/27 if applicable. A second payment on account is due on 31 July 2027.
What happens if I miss the self assessment deadline?
HMRC will automatically issue a £100 fixed penalty if your return is filed late, even if you owe no tax. After three months, daily penalties of £10 per day apply, up to a maximum of £900. After six months, a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater, is charged. A 12-month delay attracts a further charge of the same amount. In addition, interest is charged on any unpaid tax from 1 February onwards. If you have missed a deadline or are at risk of doing so, contact us immediately so we can help you minimise the impact.
What records do I need to give my accountant for a tax return?
The documents we typically need depend on your circumstances, but commonly include:
- P60 or P45 from your employer, showing your employment income and tax paid
- P11D if you received any benefits in kind from your employer
- Bank and savings account interest statements
- Dividend vouchers or investment income statements
- Rental income records and associated expense receiptsSelf-employment income and expense records or accounts
- Details of any pension contributions made
- Records of any assets sold during the year if Capital Gains Tax may apply
We will send you a straightforward checklist when you engage us, so you know exactly what to pull together.
Can you help if HMRC has contacted me about my tax return?
Yes. If HMRC has opened an enquiry into your tax return, issued a penalty notice, or written to you about underpaid tax, we can help. We deal with HMRC on behalf of our clients and have extensive experience handling correspondence, appeals, and disputes. The sooner you speak to us, the more options we have available to help resolve the matter.
What is Making Tax Digital and does it affect my tax return?
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is a new HMRC initiative that requires some self-employed individuals and landlords to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC using compatible software. From 6 April 2026, it will apply to those with annual income from self-employment or property exceeding £50,000. The threshold will reduce to £30,000 from April 2027 and to £20,000 from April 2028. If this is likely to affect you, we can help you prepare and ensure you are using the right software and processes before the deadline arrives.
