What Does This Checklist Cover?
Filing your Self Assessment tax return is much easier when you have all your documents ready. This printable checklist walks you through every category of information HMRC asks for — from employment income to capital gains.
Income Documents
☐ P60 form from employer(s) (year to 5 April 2027)
☐ P45 if you left a job during the tax year
☐ P11D if you received benefits in kind
☐ Self-employment income records and invoices
☐ Property rental income and expense records
☐ Dividend vouchers from UK companies
☐ Interest statements from banks/building societies
☐ Foreign income records and conversion rates
☐ State Pension and private pension statements
☐ Capital gains records (property, shares, crypto)
Expense Records
☐ Business expense receipts (dated and categorised)
☐ Mileage log (business miles with dates)
☐ Home office expense calculations
☐ Professional subscriptions (e.g., accountancy body)
☐ Equipment and software purchase receipts
☐ Marketing and advertising costs
☐ Insurance policies (professional indemnity, public liability)
Other Required Information
☐ Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number
☐ National Insurance number
☐ Pension contribution records
☐ Student loan balance and repayment details
☐ Charitable donations (Gift Aid declarations)
☐ Marriage Allowance details (if transferring)
☐ Child Benefit records (if earning over £60,000)
☐ SEISS grant records (if applicable)
Self Assessment Deadlines 2026/27
| Deadline | Date | Penalty if Missed |
|---|---|---|
| Register for Self Assessment (newly self-employed) | 5 Oct 2027 | Cannot file online |
| Paper tax return deadline | 31 Oct 2027 | £100 + daily penalties |
| Online tax return deadline | 31 Jan 2028 | £100 + escalating |
| Balancing payment due | 31 Jan 2028 | Interest + 5% surcharge |
| First payment on account | 31 Jan 2028 | Interest + 5% surcharge |
| Second payment on account | 31 Jul 2028 | Interest + 5% surcharge |
Tips for a Stress-Free Tax Return
- Start early — Do not wait until January. Gather documents in April/May while everything is fresh.
- Use accounting software — FreeAgent, QuickBooks or even a spreadsheet saves hours.
- Take photos of receipts — HMRC accepts digital copies. Snap receipts as you get them.
- Check your tax code — Use our Tax Code Checker to make sure your employer is deducting the right amount.
- Claim everything — Many self-employed people under-claim expenses. Review our allowable expenses guide.
- File online — The online system calculates everything for you and gives you 3 extra months.
Frequently Asked Questions
You need: your UTR number, National Insurance number, P60 or P45 forms, records of all income (employment, self-employment, property, investments, foreign), expense receipts, pension contribution records, student loan statements, charitable donation records (Gift Aid), and any capital gains records. If you are self-employed, you also need your business accounts for the tax year and records of all allowable business expenses.
Yes, you must keep all receipts and records of business expenses for at least 5 years after the 31 January filing deadline of the relevant tax year. For 2026/27 (filed by 31 January 2028), keep records until 31 January 2033. HMRC can ask to see your records at any time. If you claim expenses without receipts and HMRC investigates, you may have to repay the tax relief with penalties and interest.
If you are missing documents, contact the relevant organisation: your employer for P60/P45, your bank for interest statements, your pension provider for contribution records. Many documents can be retrieved online. If you genuinely cannot obtain a document, you can estimate the figure but you must tell HMRC it is an estimate. If HMRC believes the estimate is unreasonable, they can reject your return and issue a determination.
You must keep Self Assessment records for at least 5 years after the 31 January filing deadline. For the 2026/27 tax year (filing deadline 31 January 2028), keep records until at least 31 January 2033. If you are self-employed, keep business records for 5 years after the filing deadline. If HMRC opens an enquiry, you may need to provide records going back further.
Yes, the Self Assessment Checklist is completely free to download as a PDF. No email signup, no registration, and no payment required. The checklist covers all income types, allowable expenses, pension contributions, investments, property income and capital gains — everything you need to gather before filing your 2026/27 tax return.
Sources
- Document list based on GOV.UK Self Assessment guidance
- Record keeping requirements from GOV.UK Business Records
- Penalty information from GOV.UK Tax Return Penalties
- Allowable expenses from GOV.UK Self-Employed Expenses