Who must complete a self assessment tax return
Self assessment tax returns are required in the United Kingdom for individuals whose income is not taxed at source, including self-employed workers and partners in businesses.
Taxpayers must submit accurate details about their business activities, earnings, and allowable expenses. Meeting the technical requirements of the online self assessment form is essential to ensure submissions are accepted and processed efficiently.
Challenges faced entering business information
Recently, an individual contacted HMRC for assistance after encountering difficulties entering a business name during self assessment registration.
Despite following the stated parameters, the online system rejected the entry. After reviewing a screenshot, HMRC identified the formatting of capital letters as a possible issue and advised the person to re-enter the information using standard case.
When this approach failed, further investigation revealed an additional formatting error elsewhere in the submission.
Specific restrictions on tax return fields
According to HMRC, certain punctuation marks particularly semicolons cannot be used in the description fields on the self assessment form.
Taxpayers should separate different aspects of their work with commas rather than semicolons. An HMRC support representative explained, 'You can't use semi colons for the types of work, please use commas.'
Following this guidance is critical to prevent technical rejections and delays in tax processing.
Winter Fuel Payment repayments for pensioners
In parallel, HMRC has provided reminders to state pensioners about potential repayment obligations related to the Winter Fuel Payment.
This payment, worth between £100 and £300, is made automatically during winter months to qualifying individuals. However, pensioners with annual incomes exceeding £35,000 may be required to repay some or all of this amount, depending on their specific circumstances.
HMRC guidance on repayment methods
Repayment for those who exceed the qualifying income threshold may be collected in two ways. For some, the adjustment will be made automatically by altering their tax code in the 2026/27 tax year.
Others may need to declare the repayment on their self assessment return for the 2025/26 tax year. HMRC will issue formal letters outlining the payment amount, with instructions regarding which bank account the funds will be deposited into and how any necessary repayments should be made.
Warnings over possible scams
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has warned pensioners to remain vigilant against fraudulent messages and scam attempts related to the Winter Fuel Payment.
State pensioners are advised not to respond to unsolicited texts or emails inviting them to apply for this payment.
Official guidance stresses that legitimate payments are made automatically, and no application or sensitive information should be provided via links received in such communications.
Final Summary
HMRC’s recent clarifications aim to help taxpayers avoid common errors during the self assessment process, especially when entering business details and employment types.
Meanwhile, pensioners are receiving clear instructions on how to address any required repayments following Winter Fuel Payment disbursals, with warnings in place about potential scams.
As the self assessment deadline nears and the Winter Fuel Payment roll-out continues, individuals are encouraged to refer to official HMRC or DWP communications for reliable updates.
For further guidance on navigating tax forms or tracking repayments, the Pie app remains a useful resource for UK taxpayers seeking up-to-date information.
