Self Assessment season is one of the busiest times for accountants. It’s not just about filing returns; you also need to register clients, set up Government Gateway accounts, chase UTRs, and check every detail for compliance in plenty of time.
These tasks are often repetitive and take up a lot of time, especially when deadlines are approaching. That’s where outsourcing helps.
Stellaripe acts as your back-office support, handling registrations, preparing returns, and managing admin tasks. This lets your team focus on advising clients, building stronger relationships and attracting new clients.
Here’s how Stellaripe supports accountants with Self Assessment and why outsourcing makes a difference.
Who needs to register for Self Assessment?
Not every client needs to register for Self Assessment, but as their accountant, it’s your job to know when they should. If this step is missed, HMRC can give heavy fines, which affects both the client and your firm.
HMRC requires registration if your client falls under any of these categories:
- Self-employed individuals earning over £1,000 in a tax year (before expenses).
- Company directors who receive untaxed income.
- Clients with savings, investment, or dividend income exceeding £10,000.
- Individuals with rental income over £2,500 after allowable expenses. (Income under £1,000 is covered by the property allowance; £1,000–£2,500 may require HMRC contact.)
- Anyone needing to pay Capital Gains Tax (e.g., from selling property or shares).
- Those with other untaxed income, such as tips, commission, or foreign income.
The deadline for Self Assessment registration is 5 October, after the tax year ends, and missing it can lead to penalties that quickly add up.
With Stellaripe’s outsourcing support, you don’t have to worry. We handle the entire registration process, making sure your clients are registered correctly and protected from unnecessary fines.
How Stellaripe manages the Self Assessment registration process
The registration process can be repetitive and time-draining for accounting firms—especially during peak season. Stellaripe simplifies this by managing everything end-to-end:
1. Identifying the right form
- CWF1 – for self-employed individuals.
- SA1 – for clients with taxable income other than self-employment.
- SA401 – for those joining a partnership.
2. Setting up Government Gateway accounts
Using client details such as full name, date of birth, National Insurance number, address, and registration reason, we create their Gateway account. This is the key to submitting returns and managing HMRC correspondence.
3. Managing UTR allocation
HMRC usually issues a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) in 10–15 working days. We follow up on delays and make sure clients get their UTRs on time, avoiding last-minute stress.
For firms handling many registrations, this process can take up a lot of staff time. Outsourcing to Stellaripe makes it faster, accurate, and efficient, without draining your in-house resources.
Why is Self Assessment a challenge for accounting firms?
At first glance, Self Assessment seems simple: clients register, file their tax returns, and pay what they owe. But in practice, it’s rarely that simple. Accountants face a long list of recurring challenges:
1. Time-consuming paperwork
From filling in SA1 and CWF1 forms to setting up Government Gateway accounts, the registration process is detailed and repetitive. Now imagine doing this for dozens or even hundreds of clients. It’s easy for admin tasks to swallow up hours that could be spent helping clients and growing your practice.
2. Missing client information
Sometimes clients take their time sending the details you need. That leaves accountants spending weeks chasing UTRs, National Insurance numbers, or other documents—draining time and energy that could be spent advising clients.
3. Seasonal spikes in workload
The months leading up to the Self Assessment deadline are always hectic. Teams are stretched, errors are more likely, and the stress can be overwhelming.
4. The risk of penalties
If clients aren’t registered by 5 October or fail to file their return by 31 January, HMRC fines are unavoidable. That means accountants carry the responsibility of ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.
What happens if clients miss the deadline?
Failure to register on time leads to automatic fines from HMRC, including:
- An initial £100 fine for missing the 5 October deadline.
- Daily penalties of £10 per day after 3 months (up to £900).
- An additional penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300 (whichever is higher) if more than six months late.
- Another 5% or £300 charge after twelve months.
These penalties can cause frustration and anxiety for clients and extra firefighting work for accountants. Stellaripe helps you stay ahead of deadlines by monitoring dates, sending reminders, and ensuring timely registration and submission.
What are the key deadlines accountants must track?
Meeting deadlines is important to avoid fines. With many clients, it can be hard, and missing even one deadline can hurt client trust.
| Tasks | Deadline |
| Register for Self Assessment (if not done previously) | 5 October 2025 |
| File paper tax return | 31 October 2025 |
| File online tax return | 31 January 2026 |
| Pay tax owed (first payment | 31 January 2026 |
| Make the second payment on account if required | 31 July 2026 |
Tracking these deadlines helps accountants keep clients compliant and reduces stress during tax season.
At Stellaripe, we maintain a robust tracking system that ensures no deadline slips through the cracks—giving you peace of mind.
How does outsourcing Self Assessment work to Stellaripe help accountants?
Outsourcing isn’t just about saving time—it’s about making your practice more resilient, efficient, and client-focused. Here’s how Stellaripe supports accountants with Self Assessment tasks:
1. End-to-end management
We take care of the whole process, from registering clients and filling out forms to tracking UTRs, preparing returns, and keeping in touch with HMRC—so you don’t have to worry.
2. Faster turnaround
Our skilled team knows tax administration inside out, so tasks get done faster and more accurately—saving you time and stress.
3. Scalability during busy periods
Whether you have 10 clients or 200, Stellaripe can scale with your needs, so you don’t have to stress about extra staff or long hours.
4. Compliance confidence
Our tax professionals are up to date with the latest HMRC regulations. This reduces the risk of errors, penalties, or rejections.
Conclusion
Self Assessment season doesn’t have to be stressful or take long hours. By outsourcing registrations and returns to Stellaripe, you get more time to focus on clients, learning new skills, and growing your firm.
We take care of the paperwork, deadlines, and compliance so you can focus on what matters most. Contact us to make Self Assessment simple.
