It’s that time of year again when most of us are expecting the familiar letter from HMRC reminding us to submit our Self-Assessment tax returns. But if you've been wondering, “Where is my letter?”, you're not alone. Many taxpayers have found that their tax notices have either arrived late or, in some cases, not at all. So, what’s going on?

A Shift in HMRC's Approach to Tax Notices

HMRC is undergoing a significant transformation in how it communicates with taxpayers. As part of its cost-cuttingand modernization efforts, the tax office has adopted a “digital-first” strategy. This means that paper tax notices and reminders, including those for Self-Assessment, are now being sent out less frequently. In fact, if you’re tech-savvy, you might find that you no longer receive a physical reminder to file your tax return.

Haven't Received Your Tax Letter? Here’s Why.

If you’ve been waiting for your tax letter and it hasn’t arrived yet, it’s not necessarily an error on HMRC’s part. In fact, HMRC has clearly stated that Self-Assessment tax notices will only be sent when a tax demand is due or if absolutely necessary. This means you might not get the usual annual reminder that many taxpayers were once accustomed to.

This shift is part of HMRC’s cost-saving initiative—the goal is to save up to £50 million per year by 2028/29. However, this change also shifts more responsibility onto taxpayers. You’ll now need to be more proactive about tracking your own tax obligations, rather than waiting for a reminder letter. While this will help streamline HMRC's processes, it also places more pressure on you to stay on top of your tax affairs.

The Digital Plan

The government is committed to modernising HMRC into a digital-first organisation. The move to reduce paper correspondence is a key part of this plan, with a goal to save £50 million per year by 2028/29. However, HMRC will still maintain paper post for critical communications, particularly for those who are digitally excluded. To support this, HMRC is investing in digital services to streamline the way taxpayer information is sent and received.

Digital-First Doesn’t Mean You’re Off the Hook

It’s important to understand that just because you’re no longer receiving paper reminders, your tax obligations have not disappeared. Your responsibility to file and pay taxes remains exactly the same. Whether or not you receive a letter, it’s crucial to keep track of your tax status and ensure you're filing everything on time and correctly.

Here’s what you can do if you haven’t received your letter:

1. Check Your Tax Status: Even if you haven’t received a letter, your tax filing may still be required. Log in to your HMRC online account to confirm whether you need to submit a Self-Assessment tax return.
2. Seek Professional Help: An accountant or authorised tax representative can help you understand your tax situation, check if you owe any taxes, and ensure you're compliant with HMRC regulations. Only an authorised representative can check this information on your behalf.

Your Tax, Your Responsibility

It’s essential to remember that paying your taxes is your responsibility, regardless of whether you receive a letter from HMRC. Even without a paper reminder, you are still legally required to submit your tax returns on time and pay any taxes owed.

Although HMRC is transitioning to digital communication, digital filing is finalising. MTD (Making Tax Digital) is now officially in place, and you can join now—it will become compulsory starting from April 2026. The implementation of the Basis Period Reform has been finalised, and this year may adopt a new basis period. Company tax has undergone some changes regarding due diligence, identification verification, and the ACSP system. Not mentioning tax rates and exemption, for employer if you do not know, employment allowance give you release of higher burden of national insurance contribution. If you follow our blogger, I bet you enjoy the benefits of paying less already. You are surprised as you may not have received a detailed explanation for all these new measures, but they are already in place.

Your tax, your responsibility. It is solely and wholly your responsibility to understand how and whento file your tax, and to pay your tax on time, no matter what changes are going on. So, if you’re unsure about your tax status, don’t hesitate to call HMRC or consult a tax professional for advice. Stay proactive. It is your sole responsibility. If you are unsure, contact us at Elaga Accountancy for a clear review of your tax position and answers to any questions you may have. We’re on your side every step of the way—get in touch today. Remember: filing your tax return is your responsibility, and HMRC is moving away from paper reminders. Don’t wait for a letter—stay informed, stay proactive, and file accurately on time.

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