self assessment

THE TAX MAN WANTS YOUR RETURN

FILE EARLY, AVOID FINES, STAY AHEAD

Self Assessment specialists for UK creatives. The3Key handles your tax return so the Tax Man gets nothing to question.

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File Early, Stay Safe
No January Meltdowns
Clean Return, Zero Fines

Self Assessment is the Tax Man's reckoning

start early, file months before deadlines

The tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April. Your online return must be submitted by 31 January. The Tax Man loves creatives who rush their return in January, expenses missed, relief unclaimed.

UNDERSTANDING SELF ASSESSMENT

What it is and who really needs to file

The3Key gets you registered and filed

Self Assessment collects tax on income not taxed through PAYE. Freelancers, sole traders, landlords, directors, and anyone earning outside PAYE usually need to file.

DEADLINES THAT MATTER

THREE DATES THAT MATTER to the tax man

Miss any of these, Pay the price

You must register when you start trading, file yearly, and pay on time. Late returns trigger £100 penalties that grow daily. HMRC won’t budge. The3Key keeps you compliant.

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REGISTER FOR SELF ASSESSMENT

By 5 October

time to SUBMIT A PAPER TAX RETURN

By 31 October

SUBMIT AN ONLINE TAX RETURN

Pay any tax owed by 31 January

THE TAX MAN WINS WHEN YOU'RE LATE, WE KEEP YOU READY

Self Assessment deadlines don't wait. File early, know exactly what
you owe, and avoid penalties before they start.

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PAYMENTS ON ACCOUNT

did you know, The Tax Man wants next year’s tax early

Because apparently, patience isn’t taxable

If your tax bill tops £1,000, HMRC takes advance payments for next year. The3Key calculates what’s due, adjusts if your income drops, and keeps cash flow steady.

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Making Tax Digital

Be ready for the deadline, the Tax Man won’t wait

THE SHIFT

HMRC is moving Self Assessment to MTD with quarterly reporting. The3Key gets you compliant early so you’re ready for filing.

Who needs it

Sole traders with qualifying digital income above £50,000 must join from April 2026.

What changes now

Taxpayers file quarterly updates, not one annual return with a declaration.

Software required

Digital records must use approved software; spreadsheets, no go.

Quarterly deadlines

Submit quarterly income and expenses by the seventh deadline every time.

Inclusion Triggers

Income from self-employment determines thresholds; some exemptions still apply.

Why prepare now

The3Key helps clients choose software, digitise records, and meet deadlines early.

WHAT WE HANDLE

Every deduction, every relief, done right

Returns built to withstand HMRC

We don’t guess or hope. We calculate, check, and protect every number, so nothing ever slips past HMRC, ever.

What We Make Right:
Income reported correctly
Expenses claimed properly
Reliefs applied accurately
National Insurance covered