What Should I Bring to My Accountant for My Tax Return?

At Towerstone Accountants we provide specialist personal tax services, for self employed, and individuals across the UK. This article has been written to explain What should I bring to my accountant for my tax return, in clear practical terms, so you understand how personal tax and Self Assessment rules apply in real situations. Our aim is to help you stay compliant, avoid costly mistakes, and make confident tax decisions.

From experience, one of the biggest reasons tax returns get delayed or feel stressful is not the tax itself, it is missing information. I regularly see clients worry that they have done something wrong, when in reality they have simply not been clear on what their accountant actually needs from them. Bringing the right documents from the start makes the whole process smoother, faster, and far less expensive.

In this article, I want to explain clearly what you should bring to your accountant for your tax return, whether you are self employed, employed, a landlord, or a company director. I will also explain why each item matters, what often gets overlooked, and how being organised can genuinely save you money as well as time.

Why preparation matters more than people think

A tax return is only as accurate as the information it is based on. From my experience, most issues with HMRC come down to missing income, incomplete expense records, or assumptions being made because documents were not provided.

When you bring complete and organised information to your accountant, it allows them to:.

• Prepare your return accurately the first time

• Identify tax reliefs and allowances you may have missed

• Avoid delays and last minute rushes

• Reduce the need for follow up questions and extra fees

Good preparation puts you in control of the process rather than reacting to it.

Personal information your accountant will need

Even before looking at income and expenses, there are some basic details your accountant needs to ensure everything is filed correctly.

This usually includes:.

• Your full name and address

• Date of birth

• National Insurance number

• Unique Taxpayer Reference

• Details of any changes to your circumstances

If you are new to Self Assessment, or have recently moved, changed name, or changed marital status, this information is essential.

Income information you should provide

Your accountant needs to see all sources of income, not just the ones you think are taxable. From experience, missing income is one of the most common causes of HMRC queries later on.

Depending on your situation, income documents may include:.

• Self employed income records or sales reports

• P60 from employment

• P45 if you changed jobs

• P11D for benefits in kind

• Dividend vouchers

• Bank interest statements

• Rental income records

• Pension income statements

Even if tax has already been deducted, your accountant still needs the figures to report them correctly.

Records for self employed income and expenses

If you are self employed, this is where preparation really pays off.

You should bring:.

• A summary of income for the tax year

• Business bank statements

• Records of cash income if applicable

• Receipts and invoices for expenses

• Mileage records

• Details of any equipment or assets purchased

From experience, a clear income and expense summary, even a simple spreadsheet, makes a huge difference. It allows your accountant to focus on tax efficiency rather than data chasing.

Expense records people often forget

There are certain expenses that are regularly missed simply because people do not realise they are relevant.

Commonly overlooked items include:.

• Home working costs

• Use of personal phone or internet

• Software subscriptions

• Professional fees

• Insurance premiums

• Travel and parking

• Training costs related to existing skills

Bringing these to your accountant allows them to check what can be claimed properly.

If you are a landlord

For rental income, HMRC expects clear records.

You should provide:.

• Rental income received

• Letting agent statements

• Mortgage interest statements

• Repairs and maintenance costs

• Insurance costs

• Service charges and ground rent

• Council tax or utility costs if paid by you

Clear separation between personal and rental finances makes this much easier.

If you are a company director

Company directors often have more moving parts, which makes preparation even more important.

Your accountant will usually need:.

• P60 or payroll summaries

• Dividend vouchers

• Details of any benefits in kind

• Director loan account movements

• Pension contributions

• Expense claims paid personally

From experience, director loan accounts are a frequent problem area when records are incomplete.

Pension and investment information

Pensions and investments often affect your tax position in ways people do not expect.

Bring details of:.

• Personal pension contributions

• Employer pension contributions

• Investment income

• Capital gains from asset sales

Even small amounts can affect tax bands and allowances.

Student loans and other deductions

If you have a student loan or other deductions, your accountant needs to know.

Provide:.

• Student loan plan type

• Any repayments made outside PAYE

This ensures repayments are calculated correctly and avoids over or underpayment.

HMRC letters and notices

Never ignore letters from HMRC, and always pass them to your accountant.

These may include:.

• Tax calculations

• Statements of account

• Payment reminders

• Enquiry letters

• Penalty notices

From experience, dealing with these early avoids escalation.

What format your records should be in

HMRC does not require perfect formatting, but clarity matters.

Good practice includes:.

• Digital copies of receipts

• Clear totals rather than piles of paperwork

• Notes explaining unusual transactions

Your accountant can work with most formats, but the clearer the records, the more value they can add.

How being organised can reduce your fee

Accountants generally charge based on time and complexity. When records are tidy, work takes less time.

From experience, good preparation can:.

• Reduce billable hours

• Avoid extra charges for chasing information

• Allow time for tax planning rather than just compliance

This often saves more than it costs.

What to do if something is missing

If you are missing documents, do not panic. Tell your accountant early.

In many cases:.

• Bank statements can be used as evidence

• Duplicate statements can be requested

• Reasonable estimates may be acceptable with explanation

Silence causes more problems than missing paperwork.

How an accountant helps beyond filing

A good accountant does more than just submit numbers. With the right information, they can:.

• Spot tax saving opportunities

• Check for errors or risks

• Help you plan for next year

• Give reassurance that everything is correct

That only happens when they have the full picture.

Key points to takeaway

From my experience, bringing the right information to your accountant is one of the simplest ways to make tax easier. You do not need to be perfect, but you do need to be open, organised, and honest about what you have and what you do not.

If you treat your tax return as a shared process rather than something you hand over blindly, you will get better advice, fewer surprises, and often a lower tax bill. Preparation is not about impressing your accountant, it is about giving them the tools to help you properly.

You may also find our guidance on What records do I need to keep for my Self Assessment, and How do I find a good accountant for self employed workers, helpful when reviewing related personal tax questions. For a broader overview of Self Assessment deadlines, reporting, and obligations, you can visit our self assessment guidance hub.