How to simplify your self assessment season – the sakura checklist!

HOW TO SIMPLIFY YOUR SELF ASSESSMENT SEASON – THE SAKURA CHECKLIST!

November 26, 2025

As the 2025/26 Self-Assessment season approaches, it’s easy to start to feel anxious or overwhelmed. 

But with a little preparation—and the right support from Sakura—preparing and submitting your tax return can be stress-free and as straightforward as possible!

Here’s our essential checklist to help you get started ahead of the curve and avoid the common mistakes that cause delays and frustrations. . . 

1. Gather Your Paperwork for your Tax Return Early

We will contact you a couple of weeks after the 6th April with an early reminder, so start collecting the relevant documents at that point:

  • P60s, P45s and P11d returns
  • Dividend vouchers and bank interest statements
  • Rental income records and expenses
  • Pension contributions and Gift Aid donations
  • Self-employment income and allowable expenses

Sakura tip: Just review our Self Assessment tax return checklist to identify what documents you need to collect for the tax year.

2. Update Your Personal Details

Make sure that you provide us with any changes to your personal details – so that we can update HMRC appropriately

  • Address
  • Marital status (as it can affect allowances)
  • Children and allowances

Sakura tip: If anything’s changed personally, then we’ll update HMRC on your behalf 

3. Log in to Your HMRC Account

Ensure you can access your Government Gateway account. 

If you’ve lost your login details, request new details from HMRC now to avoid delays.

Sakura tip: Use your HMRC online account to check any payments made to HMRC or to check your tax reference etc 

4. Report All Income Sources

Ensure that you do NOT omit any income that you have earned in the tax year. Typical income sources that can be missed include:

  • Sales of personal assets
  • Income or sales of investments
  • Overseas earnings
  • Cryptoassets (yes, HMRC wants to know!)

Sakura tip: Again, complete our Self Assessment tax return checklist to ensure that nothing is missed. . . 

5. Claim All Eligible Reliefs

Make sure that you do NOT miss out on any tax reliefs that you may be entitled to :

  • Marriage allowance
  • Work-from-home expenses
  • Pension and charitable contributions

Sakura tip: We’ll make sure you claim everything you’re entitled to.

6. Avoid Last-Minute Submissions

The deadline is 31 January, but submitting early (ideally by August) :

  • Reduces stress
  • Gives you more time to budget for any tax owed
  • Helps avoid HMRC system crashes or issued 

Sakura tip: Internally we aim to file ALL Self Assessment tax returns to HMRC 5 to 6 months ahead of the January deadline—just send us your info as soon as possible.

8. Be aware of the NEW Digital Requirements from 2026

If you’re self-employed or a landlord, start preparing for Making Tax Digital now

Sakura tip: Ask us about software options—we’ll help you choose what’s right for your business.

9. Ask for Help Early

If anything’s unclear, don’t wait to ask. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

Sakura tip: Book in a 15 minute call to discuss and queries that you may have on the Self-Assessment review with us

Final Thoughts

At Sakura, we believe tax season doesn’t have to be stressful (for you or us !)

With the right preparation and our support and guidance, it can be completed simply, easily and with the minimum of fuss. . .

At Sakura, we’re here to help you navigate these decisions with confidence and compliance.

Take the Next Step and – 

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