[ruthyroo]

Anyone else doing this for the first time? It shoudl be simple, becuase all we have in the UK is a couple of bank accounts and a rental flat... but I am already finding it pretty hard going.

Has anyone used the online self assessment from overseas? Is it easier than the snail mail version?

Any advice gratefully received especially from the tax savvy among you!

R

[Avalon]

I do mine online - its actually quite easy. But then my tax return is stupidly easy anyway!

I was worried about how to add in my NZ income (from savings interest only - I dont work here), and actually phoned IR about it. Apparently - if we are not resident in the UK, they dont actually want to know about our NZ income at all. It appears its up to NZ IRD to care about our UK income, not vise versa.

Unfortuanetly - im not what you cauld call tax-savvy (my accountant used to do my tax return, but my income got low enough and easy enough for me to do it).

One beneft to doing it online is that if they owe you money - they really do pay it back fast. Last year i sent my inline return in, and 7 days later £800 turned up in my account :clap :clap :clap

Alan has to do his on paper because he has foriegn income from shares. He has to register this because dividends are paid stright into a uk account. NZ income is not counted - because its not paid into a UK account. Hes got to do his this weekend - its on the calander and Im not letting him out till its done :mrgreen:

Dont know if that helps - but remember - you can always call the IR - they can even be helpful sometimes!

Avalon

[Jo and Andy]

Did it for years, always by snail mail (well actually me handing it over on a desk). Last year for the first time we have started paying an accountant.
Hoping he will find a way to save us some money.

Good luck.

[Timbo]

I have used the on-line tax return service for two years now and find it quite straight forward. Just bare in mind that in order to submitt it, you will need a special ref. number from the IR, which HAS to be posted to you. So make sure you dont leave it right up to the last minute to get it sorted ( they will fine you £100 for late submittal).
For what it is worth, I use the Tax Calc. program, available for around £20. It really does lead you by the nose and calculates everything for you.