Go online for extra time

LOOK, I hate to bring this up when many of us are struggling to make sure we have enough cash flow to ensure we can live, but it’s the thorny issue of tax.

You might not be earning as much as you were last year – but the taxman still wants to know how much.

Now for all self-employed the Self Assessment paper deadline is coming up – and fast. If you’re going to file your Tax Return on paper you need to do so by 31 October.

However, if you think you’re going to miss that date, don’t worry. But don’t delay either. You can file your Tax Return online, which gives you three months longer because the last date for these is 31 January. Plus HMRC does the calculations for you.

For further help, including a ‘Step by Step’ guide to Self Assessment online filing and a bite-sized video, then go to our Law & Tax main page. There you will find the “Get your tax right” panel which has a drop down menu – chose the Self Assessment link.

To file your Tax Return online you need to register for an online account. The taxman then sends you an activation code within seven days so you can activate your account. It’s secure and many errors are picked up instantly. And you can do it at a time that suits you.

But don’t leave it any longer. There’s nothing worse than the cold sweat of trying to hit the 31 Jan deadline…on the last day of the year.