---
title: Do I need to prepare and send a tax return?
description: How to prepare your tax return for HMRC
url: "https://malgrabooks.co.uk/docs/do-i-need-to-prepare-and-send-a-tax-return/"
updated: "2026-02-18"
---

# Do I need to prepare and send a tax return?

You must tell HMRC by 5 October if you need to complete a tax return and have not sent one before. You can tell HMRC by [registering for Self Assessment](https://tax.malgrabooks.co.uk/knowledge-base/how-to-register-with-hmrc).

You must send a tax return if any of the below apply.

- you were self-employed as a 'sole trader' and [earned more than £1,000](https://tax.malgrabooks.co.uk/knowledge-base/what-is-income-when-im-a-consultant) (before taking off anything you can claim tax relief on, or taking off the [personal allowance](https://tax.malgrabooks.co.uk/knowledge-base/personal-allowances) - as such, this is **turnover - not profit**)
- you were a partner in a business partnership
- you had a total taxable income of more than £150,000 (such as from employment)
- you had to pay Capital Gains Tax when you sold or 'disposed of' something that increased in value (usually this relates to property)
- you had to pay the [High Income Child Benefit Charge](https://tax.malgrabooks.co.uk/knowledge-base/high-income-child-benefit-charge)

You can also use [HMRC's online checker](https://www.gov.uk/check-if-you-need-tax-return) to verify if you need to submit a return.