Guidance

HMRC email updates, videos and webinars if you’re self-employed

Learn more about your responsibilities if you're running a small business including registration, tax returns, record keeping, tax bills and payments.

From:
HM Revenue & Customs
Published
11 October 2017
Last updated
231 AugustOctober 2024 — See all updates

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Subscribe to the HMRC help and support email service to get information on a wide range of topics for individuals, businesses, employers and agents.

You can also:

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Registering and joining webinars

You can register for webinars in advance but we recommend you join each webinar 5 minutes before the start.

Record keeping

Live webinar

Register for the next live webinar about record keeping for the self-employed.

This webinar is aimed at sole traders and partnerships. It is not suitable for those with limited liability partnerships or limited companies.

You will learn about:

  • basic principles of keeping good business records
  • guidance on what HMRC expects from you
  • how you can get into good habits from the start
  • the record keeping apps available for mobile devices

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about record keeping for the self-employed.

Self Assessment

New to Self Assessment

Watch a collection of videos about Self Assessment.

New to Self Assessment.

You will learn about:

  • key dates
  • the tax return
  • understanding your calculation
  • budgeting for and paying your tax bill
  • record keeping
  • the HMRC app
  • personal and business tax accounts

Starting Self Assessment

Watch a collection of videos to find out about starting Self Assessment.

Starting Self Assessment.

You’ll learn about:

  • how to register for Self Assessment
  • which structure to use when registering
  • why you would be sent a tax return
  • your first Self Assessment tax return
  • cryptoassets and paying tax

Online Self Assessment tax return

Watch a collection of videos about your online Self Assessment tax return.

Your online Self Assessment tax return.

You will learn about:

  • starting your tax return
  • the different sections of the return including:
    • the self-employment section
    • the UK property section
  • other income and tax reliefs
  • finishing your return
  • your calculation and payments

Filling in tax returns

Watch a collection of videos to find out about filling in tax returns.

Filling in your tax return.

You’ll learn about:

  • tailoring your Self Assessment tax returns
  • state benefits and your online tax return
  • PAYE underpayments
  • estimated underpayments
  • declaring foreign income to HMRC
  • claiming expenditure against Capital Gains Tax
  • cryptoassets and paying tax

Self-employed tax returns

Watch a collection of videos to find out about self-employed tax returns.

Self-employment tax return.

You’ll learn about:

  • basic record keeping
  • your self-employed tax return
  • cash basis and simplified expenses
  • what expenses you can include in your Self Assessment tax return
  • claiming motoring expenses
  • calculating your business expenses for rent, rates power and insurance costs
  • other allowable business expenses
  • Class 2 National Insurance contributions

Self Assessment tax bills

Watch a collection of videos to find out about Self Assessment tax bills.

Your Self Assessment tax bill.

You’ll learn about:

  • viewing your Self Assessment tax return calculation
  • budgeting for your Self Assessment tax bill
  • paying your Self Assessment tax bill
  • using the HMRC app to make a Self Assessment payment
  • help if you cannot pay your tax bill
  • Self Assessment penalties
  • appealing a late filing penalty

Student loan and post graduate loan tax returns

Watch a collection of videos to find out about student loan and post graduate loan tax returns.

Student loan and post graduate loan tax return.

You’ll learn about:

  • why your tax return asks about income contingent student loans
  • why your tax return asks about postgraduate loans
  • how to show student loan and postgraduate loan repayments on your tax return

UK property income — tax returns

Watch a collection of videos to find out about UK property income — tax returns.

UK property income — tax return.

You’ll learn about:

  • filling in tax returns if you have income from a property
  • Rent a Room relief
  • joint lettings
  • the property income allowance
  • rent, rates, insurance and ground rent
  • property repairs and maintenance
  • loan interest and other financial costs
  • other allowance property expenses

New to Self Assessment

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about being new to Self Assessment.

This webinar provides information to those new to Self Assessment.

You’ll learn about:

  • key dates
  • who must send a tax return
  • a brief overview of how to register
  • the main tax return, including tailoring your tax return
  • understanding your tax calculation
  • how to pay
  • record keeping
  • benefits of the HMRC app

Starting your online tax return

Live webinar

Register for the next live webinar about starting your online tax return.

You will learn about how to get started with your online Self Assessment tax return, including:

  • who must send a tax return
  • registering for Self Assessment
  • starting your tax return
  • the ‘Tell us about you page’
  • ‘tailoring’ your tax return

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about starting your online tax return.

The employment section of your online tax return

Live webinar

Register for the next live webinar about the employment section of your online tax return.

You will learn about:

  • employment records you’ll need
  • filling in the employment page of your Self Assessment tax return
  • showing taxable employment benefits and expenses
  • claiming tax relief on work related expenses
  • how to tell us about student loan and postgraduate loan deductions

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about the employment section of your online tax return.

The self-employment section of your online tax return

Live webinar

Register for the next live webinar about the self-employment section of your online tax return.

You will learn about how to complete the self-employment section of your online Self Assessment tax return.

You will learn about:

  • the details of your business and your turnover
  • expenses
  • capital allowances and balancing charges
  • other tax adjustment
  • the losses page
  • tax deducted and Class 4 National Insurance
  • Class 2 National Insurance

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about the self-employment section of your online tax return.

The UK property section of your online tax return

Live webinar

Register for the next live webinar about the UK property section of your online tax return.

Find out about filling in the UK property section of your online Self Assessment tax return, including:

  • rent a room relief and joint lettings
  • the qualifying conditions for furnished holiday lettings
  • when to record income and expenses
  • the property income allowance
  • the property expenses page
  • adjustments for other property income
  • profits and losses for other property income

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about the UK property section of your online tax return.

Other income and tax reliefs on your online tax return

Live webinar

Register for the next live webinar about other income and tax reliefs on your tax return.

You will learn about:

  • other income, such as:
    • bank interest
    • dividend income
    • state pensions
    • other state benefits
    • work pensions
    • High Income Child Benefit Charge
    • other types of income
  • tax reliefs, such as:
    • payments into pensions
    • payments to charity
    • blind person relief
    • marriage allowance

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about other income and tax reliefs on your online tax return.

Finishing your online tax return

Live webinar

Register for the next live webinar finishing your online tax return.

You will learn how you finish your online Self Assessment tax return.

You will learn about:

  • underpaid tax and other debts
  • overpaid tax
  • if you’ve not paid enough tax
  • checking your return
  • saving and submitting your return
  • amending your return after you’ve sent it

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about finishing your online tax return.

Your Self Assessment calculation and payments

Live webinar

Register for the next live webinar about your Self Assessment calculation and payments.

You will learn about your Self Assessment tax return calculation and payments, including:

  • what’s included in your calculation
  • payments on account
  • the full Self Assessment calculation
  • what to pay and when
  • budget payment plans
  • payments already made
  • how to pay
  • what to do if you cannot pay on time

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about your Self Assessment calculation and payments.

Online tax return help for landlords

Check help and support for landlords to watch catch up webinars on how to complete your online tax return for income from property.

Business expenses

Watch our short series of videos about expenses:

Basic record keeping for the self-employed

Watch a video about basic record keeping for the self-employed.

Basic record keeping for the self-employed

What expenses can I include in my Self Assessment tax return

Watch a video about what expenses to include in your Self Assessment tax return.

What expenses can I include in my Self Assessment tax return?

Cash basis and simplified expenses

Watch a video about cash basis and simplified expenses.

Cash basis and simplified expenses

Car expenses for the self-employed

Live webinar

Register for the next live webinar about car expenses for the self-employed.

This webinar is for self-employed sole traders and self-employed partnerships. It is not suitable for limited companies, or company directors.

You’ll learn about:

  • what a business journey is
  • flat rate expenses
  • actual cost method
  • capital allowances
  • hire purchases and leasing arrangements

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about car expenses for the self-employed.

Residential property income for individuals

Residential property income for individuals — an introduction

Live webinar

Register for the next live webinar about residential property income for individuals — an introduction.

You’ll learn about:

  • what we mean by income from property
  • furnished holiday lettings
  • when to record income and expenses (traditional accounting and cash basis)
  • property income allowance
  • the Rent a Room Scheme

This webinar will not tell you about:

  • allowable expenses and deductions from property income
  • Capital Gains Tax
  • Stamp Duty Land Tax
  • Inheritance Tax

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about residential property income for individuals ― an introduction.

Residential property income for individuals — expenses and deductions

Live webinar

Register for the next live webinar about residential property income for individuals — expenses and deductions.

You’ll learn about:

  • revenue and capital expenses
  • repairs and improvement costs
  • expenses before you start letting your property
  • mortgage and finance costs
  • travel costs for business journeys
  • replacement of domestic items relief

This webinar will not tell you about the basics of letting property.

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about residential property income for individuals ― expenses and deductions.

Business expenses for the self-employed

Live webinar

Register for the next live webinar about business expenses for the self-employed.

You’ll learn about:

  • what allowable business expenses are
  • the most common business expenses, to show what is and is not allowable
  • simplified expenses
  • record keeping
  • entering accurate figures on your tax return

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about business expenses for the self-employed.

Capital allowances

Live webinar

Register for the next live webinar about capital allowances for the self-employed.

You will learn about how to claim tax relief when buying or improving vehicles and equipment for your business.

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about capital allowances for the self-employed.

Selling alcohol

If you’re a small or medium business buying or selling alcohol, you can find out if you need to apply for approval to sell alcohol to another business.

How to add a tax to your business tax account

Watch a video about how to add a tax to your business tax account.

How to add a tax through your business tax account.

You will find out how to add services to your business tax account including:

  • Self Assessment
  • Corporation Tax
  • PAYE for employers
  • VAT

Mini umbrella company fraud

Watch a video about the risks of using mini umbrella companies in your supply chain.

What is mini umbrella company fraud?

You will learn about:

  • what mini umbrella company fraud is
  • the risks of using mini umbrella companies
  • the impact of mini umbrella company fraud
  • the signs of mini umbrella company fraud
  • what to do if you suspect supply chain fraud

HMRC community forums

You can use the online HMRC community forums to ask questions, see what others are asking and get answers.

Updates to this page

Published 11 October 2017
Last updated 231 AugustOctober 2024 + show all updates

  1. Updated live webinar links added for 'Starting your online tax return', 'The employment section of your online tax return', 'The self-employment section of your online tax return', 'The UK property section of your online tax return', 'Other income and tax reliefs on your online tax return', 'Finishing your online tax return', and 'Your Self Assessment calculation and payments'. New video collections added for 'New to Self Assessment' and 'Online Self Assessment tax return'.

  2. The 'What is mini umbrella company fraud?' video has been updated.

  3. A link to watch a video about mini umbrella company fraud has been added. A link to watch a video about what expenses to include in your Self Assessment tax return has been updated.

  4. Recorded webinars for 'Residential property income for individuals ― an introduction' and 'Residential property income for individuals ― expenses and deductions' have been updated.

  5. We have updated the live webinar link for business expenses for the self-employed. We have also added recorded webinars on starting your online tax return, the employment section, the self-employment section, the UK property section, other income and tax reliefs, finishing your online tax return, and your Self Assessment calculation and payments.

  6. Links to live webinars for starting your online tax return, the employment section of your online tax return, the self-employed section of your online tax return, the UK property section of your online tax return, other income and tax reliefs on your online tax return, finishing your online tax return and your Self Assessment calculation and payments have been added.

  7. Recorded webinars about how to fill in your Self Assessment tax return if you're self-employed, how to fill in your Self Assessment tax return if you have UK property income, and how to finish your Self Assessment tax return, your tax calculation and payments have been updated.

  8. Recorded webinars about business expenses for the self-employed have been updated. The link to register for the live webinar for car expenses for the self employed has been updated.

  9. Recorded webinars about record keeping, car expenses, business expenses and Statutory Sick Pay and capital allowances has been updated.

  10. Recorded webinars for those new to Self Assessment, how to fill in a Self Assessment tax return if you are self employed, how to fill in a Self Assessment tax return if you have UK property income, and how to finish a Self Assessment tax return, your tax calculation and payments have been added.

  11. Live webinar links about being new to Self Assessment, capital allowances, how to fill in your Self Assessment tax return if you're self-employed and record keeping for the self-employed have been updated.

  12. The link for the live webinar 'Record keeping' has been updated. A link to a recorded webinar about 'being new to Self Assessment' has been added.

  13. Links to live webinars in the sections ‘New to Self Assessment’, ‘How to fill in your Self Assessment tax return if you’re self-employed’, ‘How to fill in your Self Assessment tax return if you have UK property income’ and ‘How to finish your Self Assessment tax return, your tax calculation and payments’ have been added.

  14. The section 'Understand and pay your Self Assessment tax bill' has been removed.

  15. Updated recorded webinars for 'residential property income for individuals — an introduction' and 'residential property income for individuals — expenses and deductions' have been added.

  16. We have updated the video content on what expenses can I include in my Self Assessment tax return? in the section about 'Online tax return help for landlords'.

  17. A recorded webinar about understanding and paying your Self Assessment tax bill has been updated.

  18. We have added recorded webinar links for under the section Self Assessment for self employment, UK property income and calculations and payments.

  19. Links to register for live webinars to learn about 'How to fill in your Self Assessment tax return if you're self-employed', 'How to fill in your Self Assessment tax return if you have UK property income', and 'How to finish your Self Assessment tax return, your tax calculation and payment' have been added.

  20. We have updated webinar content on 'Car expenses for the self-employed' and 'Business expenses for the self-employed'.

  21. The links to recorded webinars have been updated for: Record keeping for the self-employed, Car expenses for the self-employed, Business expenses for the self-employed, and Capital allowances.

  22. Links to register for the following live webinars have been added: record keeping for the self-employed, car expenses and the self-employed, residential property income for individuals, business expenses for the self-employed and capital allowances for the self-employed.

  23. The links to register for live webinars about record keeping for the self-employed, residential property income for individuals — an introduction and capital allowances for the self-employed have been removed.

  24. Added a recorded webinar in the 'Starting your online Self Assessment tax return' section. Added a recorded webinar in 'The employment and self-employment sections of your online Self Assessment tax return' section. Added a recorded webinar in the 'Finishing your online Self Assessment tax return' section.

  25. Live webinars with information about starting and completing a Self Assessment tax return online have been added.

  26. Recorded webinars about residential property income for individuals ― an introduction and residential property income for individuals ― expenses and deductions have been added.

  27. Registration links for 2 live webinars about residential property income for individuals and video collections to find out about Self Assessment have been added.

  28. Information about the HMRC help and support email service and a new ‘HMRC community forums’ section has been added.

  29. The video link about 'basic record keeping for the self-employed' has been updated.

  30. Live webinars about record keeping and about capital allowances have been updated.

  31. The section 'Understand and pay your Self Assessment tax bill' has been updated with a new recorded webinar.

  32. The link to the video about your self-employed tax return has been updated.

  33. The link to 'What expenses can I include in my Self Assessment tax return' has been updated.

  34. Links to register for live webinars about 'car expenses and the self-employed' and 'business expenses for the self-employed' have been updated.

  35. The links to recorded webinars have been updated.

  36. We have added a link to a recorded webinar about research and development tax relief for small and medium-sized businesses.

  37. Links to register for live webinars about Research and Development tax relief for small and medium-sized businesses have been added.

  38. Links to register for the following live webinars have been updated: record keeping for the self-employed, car expenses and the self-employed, individuals with income from UK residential property, business expenses for the self-employed and capital allowances for the self-employed.

  39. A video about cash basis and simplified expenses has been added.

  40. Added links to register for webinars about how to complete your online tax return.

  41. Links to webinars about capital allowances and record keeping have been updated.

  42. A YouTube video about your self-employed tax return has been added.

  43. The video 'How to add a service through your business tax account' has been updated.

  44. Updated with links to register for upcoming webinars.

  45. Webinars about Record keeping for the self-employed, Car expenses and the Individuals with income from UK residential property have been added.

  46. A video about How to add a service through your business tax account has been added.

  47. All links to recorded webinars have been updated.

  48. Webinars about Business expenses for the self-employed and Capital allowances for the self-employed have been added.

  49. The link for the 'Basic record keeping for the self-employed' video has been updated.

  50. Under the heading Online tax return help for landlords, the link to the webinar How do I complete my online tax return - income from property, has been updated

  51. New links for catch up webinars about record keeping, how do I complete my online tax return, UK residential property income and capital allowances have been added.

  52. Links added to register for the next live webinars about completing your online tax return for employed, self-employed, income from property, business expenses and car expenses for the self-employed.

  53. We have updated the registration links for the next live webinar for 'record keeping' and 'individuals with income from UK residential property'. We have removed the webinar registration links for 'car expenses for the self employed', 'business expenses for the self-employed' and 'capital allowances'.

  54. We have updated the registration link for the next live webinar about record keeping.

  55. Updated the link for the webinar about record keeping.

  56. Links added to register for the next live webinars about Capital Allowances, Business expenses for the self-employed and Car expenses for the self-employed.

  57. A new webinar about 'record keeping' has been added.

  58. A new recorded webinar about how to pay your Self Assessment tax bill has been added.

  59. Live webinars about record keeping, car expenses, individuals with income from UK residential property, business expenses and capital allowances have been added.

  60. A video about basic record keeping for the self-employed has been added.

  61. Webinar about what expenses to include your Self Assessment tax return has been added.

  62. Webinars about how to pay your Self Assessment tax bill, how to complete your online return, starting your return, UK property income pages, help for landlords and car expenses for the self-employed have been added.

  63. Webinars about how to complete your online tax return, how to complete your online tax return: UK property income section and how to show self-employed business expenses on the tax return have been added.

  64. Webinars for 'individuals with income from UK residential property' and 'business expenses for the self-employed' have been added.

  65. Recorded webinars have been added for 'self-employment and HMRC', 'record keeping', 'how to complete your online tax return', 'how to complete property income pages', 'how to pay your self-assessment tax bill', 'car expenses' and 'capital allowances'.

  66. The latest series of videos about business expenses and taxable profits have been added.

  67. A webinar for how to complete your UK property income pages has been added.

  68. The latest webinars for how to complete your online tax return and how to pay your self-assessment tax bill have been added to the page.

  69. The latest webinar for 'an overview of self-employment and HMRC' and a video on 'Cash basis and simplified expenses' have been added to the page.

  70. Self-employment and HMRC webinar added to the guidance.

  71. The webinar for Financial support if you receive benefits has been removed from this page, along with webinars about record keeping.

  72. The Selling alcohol webinar has been deleted.

  73. The webinars in the business expenses section have been replaced by YouTube videos.

  74. The online tax return section has been updated with the next live webinar for completing the Self Assessment tax return.

  75. Latest webinars for 'Setting up your business', 'Record keeping' have been added and new 'Online tax return' section added.

  76. The latest video about business expenses has been added.

  77. The latest webinar about accounting for your income and expenses, and a new video about expenses, have been added.

  78. Webinars for setting up your business, financial support if you receive benefits and childminders have been updated.

  79. Webinar links about how to pay your tax bill and childminders have been updated.

  80. The live webinar for childminders and foster carers scheduled for 5 July 2018 has been cancelled.

  81. Webinars for capital allowances, childminders, foster carers and selling alcohol have been updated.

  82. Register for the next live webinars for childminders and foster carers.

  83. The webinars have been updated.

  84. The latest webinars about setting up your business have been updated.

  85. The latest webinars for self assessment, record keeping and foster carers have been added.

  86. Webinars being run in support of Small Business Saturday will be available on 2 December 2017.

  87. First published.

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