Is my Self Assessment tax bill lower, or did I receive a Simple Assessment?

Many Self Assessment taxpayers may have believed that their bill for the 2025/26 period is lower than expected, or they may believe that they are owed a refund.

It is possible that this is the case, but many may have become confused by receiving a Simple Assessment without realising it.

Knowing the difference between a Simple Assessment and a Self Assessment can save you confusion and ensure that you know what to do to stay compliant with your tax bill.

Why does a Simple Assessment cause confusion?

A Simple Assessment is a tax calculation based on the information that HMRC is able to gather about the income of a taxpayer.

Sometimes known as a PA302, a Simple Assessment takes details from employers, banks and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to establish what is likely to be owed in the relevant tax year.

If all of your income could be discerned through these channels, it may be that a Simple Assessment is accurate.

However, many Self Assessment taxpayers receive funds that would fall beyond this awareness, including dividends from close companies or rental income.

Acting as a sole trader may also cause income to slip through the cracks and not be counted in a Simple Assessment.

Due to it not covering your full tax exposure, a Simple Assessment may indicate a lower-than-expected tax bill or suggest that you are owed a refund.

What is the best thing to do when receiving a Simple Assessment?

Seeking expert accounting advice is the best thing to do when receiving a Simple Assessment, as this is the most effective way to ensure that you know your tax position.

Our expert accountants can identify how accurate a Simple Assessment is likely to be and what may have been overlooked due to insufficient data.

Knowing this allows you to have a clearer sense of your true tax obligation, as well as an understanding of what you need to do next.

One of the more likely things that will need to be done is filing the full Self Assessment, as receiving a Simple Assessment is not an indication that a Self Assessment tax return has been processed.

It is imperative that you file your return and settle the tax bill before 31 January, or you may face penalties and fines.

We can work with you to keep you fully up to date with the deadlines and ensure you are compliant with your Self Assessment tax return obligations.

For assistance with Simple Assessments and Self Assessments, get in touch with our team.