Time looks tight on paper

Time looks tight on paper

New rules from HMRC designed to persuade more taxpayers into online filing have cut deadlines for paper-based returns by three months.

The final date used to be January 31. That stays for online filing but the new self-assessment deadline if you use pen and paper is October 31.

But if you want to use paper forms, try to submit your return by September 30. That way the Revenue will guarantee to do the sums for you - leave it a month and you'll have to calculate the tax due yourself. Most taxpayers who have to fill in a self-assessment will need to organise information such as the P60 your employer gave out in April, records of savings and investments and details of any untaxed income such as self-employment which can include regular online auction trading. But whether you file by the end of September or October, you don't have to pay anything before January 31 - in line with online taxpayers.

HMRC has changed the date to save money - online filing is cheaper. It hopes many will now change to internet filing where the deadline remains January 31. Go to hmrc.gov.uk/sa and click Register for Self Assessment Online. Your tax bill is calculated automatically.