Hi,
A bit of a complex situation here. Started a side hustle in 2023, remained on various other employment PAYE until September 2024. Did educational training until April 2025… then became self-employed. Side-hustle continued throughout all of this. For some ridiculous reason, I assumed the platform I worked on in my own time was paying tax - turns out they were just taking VAT. I’m an idiot (now I’m well-aware).
I’ve contacted my accountant to ask if I can now do self-assessment forms and declare my earnings for 2023, 2024 and 2025. I understand I’m still in time for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 isn’t due yet. But what do I do about 2023-2024? I wasn’t registered self-employed until April 2025 (again, had no idea this was a requirement as I thought the platform did a lot of this behind the scenes work… again, an idiot).
In total I’ve made just over £8k in 3 years. I’m just wondering what I should be expecting from HMRC…
I’m also being tested for ADHD and I’ve had major clinical depression since 2019 (diagnosed), if that’s of any relevance.
I’ve tried to take the correct step since realising which was urgently emailing my accountant and I am awaiting their response…
Now you're registered, get your numbers together and call HMRC on Monday and inform them you need to make a voluntary disclosure and complete a self assessment for previous tax years. They will be able to add them to your online portal to complete.
They normally waive any fines if you do this, but you will have to pay interest on the tax due.
The comments you made around mental health and ADHD are unfortunately irrelevant here so I wouldn't bother mentioning either to HMRC
Thank you! So I do that part without my accountant but they can help with 2024-2025 and 2025-2026? Thanks again for your comment
You can do it all with or without an accountant, depending on how confident you are in the paperwork.
Your accountant can do the voluntary disclosure for you if you prefer, but obviously that will cost you more