Self-Assessment in the UK: what Ukrainians need to know and what to do step by step

Many Ukrainians in the UK start working as self-employed, earn income from YouTube, work online, have foreign income or side jobs. And very often questions arise:

• Do I need to file a tax return?

• When should I do it?

• And how can I avoid getting a fine?

This article is a simple and practical guide.

WHAT IS SELF ASSESSMENT?

Self-Assessment — This is an annual tax return to HMRC (the British tax authority), where you declare your income and expenses yourself. The tax year in the UK runs from: 6 April to 5 April For example: 2024/25 = 6 April 2024 – 5 April 2025

WHO SHOULD APPLY SELF-ASSESSMENT

You must file a tax return if, during the tax year, you:

• were self-employed worked for a foreign company

• received income from abroad had income not through PAYE  

• earned more than £1,000 not through employment

• had income from renting, online work, freelancing had multiple sources of income

  Even if your income was small, you are often required to file a tax return.

WHEN TO SUBMIT

For income for the year (6 April – 5 April): Online filing deadline: 31 January of the following year. For example: for 2024/25 → by 31 January 2026.

❗ If you don't file on time, you will automatically be fined £100, even if you don't owe any tax.

WHAT YOU NEED TO PREPARE

Before serving, assemble:

1. All income

• self-employed

• salaries

• foreign income

• YouTube / Google

• customer transfers

•other income

➡️ Gross income is indicated.

 2. All permitted expenses

Most common:

• ingredients, materials, packaging

• advertisement, Canva, YouTube, subscriptions

• equipment, lighting, camera, laptop

• internet and telephone (part)

• working from home

• vocational training

• business trips

➡️ Tax is calculated based on profit (income minus expenses).

 3. If the income was not in pounds

• if the money was transferred to a British account, take it from the statement

• if not, the HMRC rate applies

UTR — MANDATORY

Required for submissionUTR number (Unique Taxpayer Reference). It is obtained after registering at Self-Assessment.

❗ If you have registered but have not received a UTR, please call immediately HMRC.

It is impossible to submit a declaration without a UTR.

HOW TO SUBMIT A DECLARATION

Submissions are made online via HMRC account:

HMRC → Sign in → Self Assessment → Complete your tax return

Step-by-step system:

• personal details

• income (UK / foreign)

• self-employed

• expenses

• tax calculation

• submit

AFTER SUBMISSION

System display:

✔ how much tax is payable

✔ whether there is payment on account (advance payment)

✔ payment deadline

❗ The tax must also be paid by 31 January, otherwise interest will be charged.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE TIME: The worst thing you can do is not submit anything.

✔ It is better to submit approximate figures.

❌ Failure to submit — automatic penalty

The declaration can then be corrected. (amend)

IMPORTANT TO KNOW

• HMRC does not require an accountant — many people file themselves

• you can have multiple sources of income in one declaration

• YouTube,online work, baking, consultations — that's all self-employment

• costs can and should be taken into account

• A declaration is not scary if you take it step by step.

CONCLUSION

Self-Assessment —it is not a punishment, but a tool.

It allows:

• work legally

• have no fines

• build a financial history in the UK

• in the future — pension, loans, business

  
  

Want to understand the details? We held a special broadcast where we discussed all the nuances of Self-Assessment for Ukrainians in detail. We recommend reviewing it before filling out the form.: 👉 Watch the broadcast on YouTube