Paper Tax Returns for 2022/23

Tax return season will soon be upon us again.

The Revenue has announced that the self assessment tax return forms for 2022/23 will not be available to download from gov.uk. If a taxpayer wants to submit their tax return on paper – and some people are forced to do this – they will either have to ring HMRC and request a form or use commercial software to print the form.

Letters in the post

HMRC is currently writing to 135,000 taxpayers who normally file their self assessment tax return on paper telling them they won’t automatically receive a tax return form this year. The taxpayer is asked to file their tax return online by going to gov.uk and searching for “self assessment”, then choosing “file your self assessment tax return online”.

A person who has no internet access will have difficulty following these instructions, in which case HMRC advises them to ring the self assessment form order line on 0300 200 3610 to ask for a paper tax return. 

This push to file online is part of the government’s objective to get everyone to interact digitally with HMRC and all other government bodies. Over the next two years, HMRC has a target to reduce the higher-volume letters and forms it sends out on paper by persuading taxpayers to use its digital channels instead.

Age and capability exemptions

Not all individuals who currently file their return on paper are affected.  HMRC has decided not to push older taxpayers into filing online. Those taxpayers who are aged over 70, who are not already filing their tax return online, and who don’t have a tax agent appointed, will continue to automatically receive a paper tax return form. 

Use Us Instead?

If the thought of filing online yourself or having to wait for hours in a queue on the phone to HMRC to request a paper form fills you with dread, you could ask us to prepare your return.  The process is quick and easy.  Email alison@stephenasher.com and we can have a chat about your requirements.

About the author

Alison Asher