Are you self employed? Are you freelance? Are your tax affairs complicated? It is your responsibility to declare and assess your income and any profits and gains via tax return.

The majority of us are taxed at source automatically directly from our wage prior to us receiving it. Our actual liability is any and all other forms of income including rent, capitol gains etc etc.

The onus to declare additional income is entirely the individual's responsibility. This process is called self assessment. This is the most common way to report tax liability to the Inland Revenue.

Whether you are a partner a director a trustee or self employed you will probably be automatically posted out a self assessment form. However in the event you are not, it is still your responsibility to get one and fill it in. remember ignorance is no excuses in the eyes of the law. If you miss the time deadlines you will be fined with interest incurred.

Each self assessment form comes with additional forms to suit various declarations. Accompanied with an idiot proof guide on how to fill it in be sure to fill everything in correctly, we all know what the Inland Revenue are like.

• P45 if you have left your employment
• P11D or P9D re your benefits and expenses
• P60 this is your previous jobs income and tax paid.
• Your previous employer should provide this.
• P2 your tax coding
• Investment dividends
• Any savings accounts (statements)
• All other incomes. Full details

Avoid like the plague making any mistakes, as this could end up costing you money and even worse may lead to prosecution. So read all the literature carefully as much as it is a pain.

Finally keep all your records. It is estimated that 1 in every 20 to 30 returns are investigated by the revenue. If you're the unlucky one. Don't be caught out. You will be required to produce everything, to prove your tax return was correct. 1 year is the time limit you must keep your records once you have sent your tax return in. Proprietors and self employed must keep records for 6 years.

Finally if you feel it' all getting too complicated, then get an accountant, but remember it is still your responsibility to provide the correct information. Again the onus is still on you to pay the revenue on time not your accounts. Or yes you will be fined.