How to Prepare for Year-End Early (So You’re Not Scrambling in January)

Whether it’s your first tax return or you’re just tired of the last-minute panic, getting ahead before the deadline hits is a game-changer.

The tax year ends on 5th April, but you’ve got until 31st January to file. That may be loads of time, but it can be easy for your tax return to slip down the list of priorities. Getting it sorted early means less stress and no digging through old receipts when January rolls around.

Here’s how to get ahead and feel like an absolute pro.

1. First time? Register first

If you’re new to working for yourself, you need to let HMRC know. It’s called registering for Self Assessment. It takes five minutes online and they’ll send you a UTR (AKA, your tax ID.)

You can’t file without it, so get it done early and thank yourself later.

2. Tidy up your records

Don’t overthink it. Just make sure your income and expenses are logged and nothing’s missing.

Using Buzz? You’re winning already. Buzz pulls in your bank transactions, stores your receipts, and keeps everything neat. All you have to do is check it over with a cuppa.

3. Claim what’s yours

If you paid for it to do your job, you might be able to claim it. That means less profit on paper, which means less tax to pay. Nice.

Think tools, fuel, your work phone, software, a slice of your home bills. Buzz helps you snap receipts and tag stuff on the go, so nothing gets forgotten or lost under the sofa.

4. Filing your return (how it actually works)

You can file online through the HMRC site, or use all-in-one accounting software like Buzz. Paper forms are still an option, but digital is quicker and cleaner.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Your UTR
  
• Your HMRC login details
  
• All your income info:
  
  • Self-employment
    
  • Employment if you’re also employed (P60s, payslips)
    
  • Pension contributions
    
  • Interest or dividends
    
  • Rental income
    
• Your expenses (that’s where Buzz comes in clutch)
  

There are a few sections to fill in, depending on how you earn. You might see:

• Self-employment
  
• Employment
  
• UK property
  
• Dividends or savings interest
  
• Capital gains (if you’ve sold big assets)
  

Once you’ve filled in what applies to you, HMRC will show you how much tax you owe. You can pay straight away or by 31 January.

5. Make next year even easier

If you’re logging things regularly and saving receipts as you go, filing stops being scary. Buzz helps you stay on top of it all year long. Why wait?

And with Making Tax Digital on the way, getting into good habits now is a smart move.

Buzz helps you track money, stay tax-ready and file with zero fuss from just £9.99 a month.

Join today and smash year-end before it even begins.