Tax return gets a new look for Spring

Millions of new look tax returns will be dropping onto doormats from this week, following a revamp of the main self assessment (SA) tax return.

The new look return now has fewer questions, simpler language and an improved layout. It's designed to be easier to understand and complete for all SA customers but, in particular, for those who are self-employed or who don't use an accountant to complete their return.

Other changes to the paper return include:

A new page for additional information - questions completed by relatively few people about less common types of income and reliefs have been moved to a new, separate 'Additional Information' page, which is included in the return pack.

A new short, self-employment page - a two-page form with fewer boxes to complete is being introduced for smaller, straightforward businesses with an annual turnover below £64,000.

An increased 'three line account' threshold - the limit for completing simpler, abbreviated accounts information has been doubled to £30,000.

Reordered questions - a person's main source of income is now at the front of the return, rather than the end, ensuring customers answer questions most relevant to them first.

A redesigned version of the online SA return is also now available.

All the changes have been made following a successful two-year pilot, which involved more than 7,000 SA customers.

From this year, there are also changes to the SA deadlines - paper returns must now be filed by 31 October, while the deadline for online returns remains at 31 January.