Self-assessment
The question
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, (a) what assessment she has made of the potential impact of HMRC’s proposals for more timely payments in Income Tax Self-Assessment on taxpayers with variable incomes, including sole traders and freelancers; and (b) what safeguards will be put in place to prevent cash-flow difficulties arising from overestimated tax liabilities.
Answered by Treasury
At Autumn Budget 2025, the government announced more timely payments for Income Tax Self Assessment and committed to developing the policy with stakeholders through a public consultation. The consultation closed on 4th August 2026 and responses are being analysed.
The Budget 2025 announcement followed the usual tax policy-making process, including consideration of impacts on customers with variable incomes.
The government is carefully analysing consultation responses and any potential safeguards to ensure appropriate support is available for affected customers.
Future impacting based on the evidence of the consultation will be carried out by the government as usual as part of any future Budget announcements.
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