Morning,

Just wondering if someone can give me some advice.

I’ve registered for self-assessment due to my earnings and my partner claiming child benefit. My earnings went above the threshold in July 2023 but I’ve received a letter from HMRC this morning advising I’ve a penalty because I didn’t submit a tax return for the year ending 5 April 2023.

Am I being dim? Why did I need to submit one for that tax year if my earnings weren’t above the threshold.

I’ve sent an appeal in - what else should I do?

Appreciate any responses, ta!

I have had 'issues' in the past that are often resolved with a quick phone call to HMRC (if you are happy to hold).

They get a lot of bad press but the actual call handlers can be pretty useful at times.

Talk to em, they are great when you do get through.

Once registered you need to file a report whatever your circumstances, it allows them to make 'their' decision.

I had exactly the same issue when I first registered for self-assessment tax and was fined £100 for not sending a tax return for the previous year. I rang them and got it rescinded. From memory it wasn't too much of a faff.

Once you're registered you need to do a return EVERY year, until they tell you to stop, irrespective of earnings; I stopped earning enough to pay tax in 2010 - some years since I haven't earnt even a penny - but it was only in 2019 that the stopped asking... Sods Law, I then did some paid work in 2020/21 and I'm now back to doing them again.

They were excellent to be fair, when I eventually navigated their ridiculous IVR!

All sorted, thanks for the replies.