BrightTax allows you to create, complete, and submit Individual Tax Returns (ITRs) — commonly known as Self Assessment returns — directly to HMRC. This article covers the full workflow from creating an ITR task to submitting the completed return.

• The client must be set up as an Individual in BrightTax with a complete client record.
• Your HMRC agent credentials must be configured in BrightTax System Settings. See How to Set Up Your HMRC Credentials for guidance.
• Ensure you have the client's UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) recorded in their client record.
• Have all relevant income and expense information for the tax year to hand before starting.

1. Navigate to the client record for the individual.
2. Click Create Task.
3. Select Individual Tax Return from the task type list.
4. Select the correct Tax Year from the dropdown.
5. Click Create Task to confirm. The ITR task will appear in the client's task list.
6. Click Open Tax Return (or the task name) to open the return.

The ITR opens in read-only mode by default. Switch to Edit mode using the toggle in the bottom left of the screen before making any changes.

The ITR is structured around tabs and a left-hand menu:

• Summary tab — overview of the return, status, and linked tasks.
• SA100 tab — the core personal tax return page, covering personal details and the main income summary.
• SA110 tab — the tax calculation and liability summary.
• Left-hand menu — What Makes Up the Tax Return — this is where you navigate to individual income subschedules (self-employment, property, employment, dividends, capital gains, etc.).

1. Under What Makes Up the Tax Return in the left-hand menu, select the relevant income type.
2. For each income type, click Create (or Add) to open the subschedule.
3. Enter the required figures. Fields shown in grey cannot be edited — these are calculated automatically by BrightTax.
4. Save each subschedule before moving to the next.

Common subschedules and the pages they relate to:

1. Once all income and deductions have been entered, click Check and Calculate from the bottom menu or the return summary.
2. BrightTax will validate the return and calculate the tax liability. Any validation errors or warnings will be shown on screen.
3. Review and resolve any errors before proceeding to submission.
4. Once the calculation is clean, review the SA110 tax calculation summary to confirm the liability is as expected.

1. To send the return to the client for approval, use the Send for Approval option in the bottom right menu.
2. To print a copy of the return, select Print from the same menu. This produces a PDF of the completed return.

1. From the bottom right menu, select Submit to HMRC.
2. Review the submission summary and confirm all details are correct.
3. Click Submit. BrightTax will transmit the return to HMRC electronically.
4. A submission confirmation and HMRC reference number will be displayed. The Submission History tab on the return will record the submission details.

I cannot see the Submit to HMRC option

• Confirm your HMRC agent credentials are set up correctly in System Settings.
• Check that the return has been through Check and Calculate and has no outstanding errors.
• Ensure you are in Edit mode — submission is not available in read-only mode.

HMRC is rejecting the submission

• Review the rejection message from HMRC — this will explain the specific reason for rejection.
• Common causes include an incorrect UTR, a mismatch in the client's personal details, or validation errors in specific boxes.
• Correct the identified issue, re-run Check and Calculate, and resubmit.

I received a lock notification when trying to save a subschedule

• Another user in your organisation may have the same return open. Wait a moment and click Save again — BrightTax will retry automatically without requiring a page refresh.
• If the lock persists, ask colleagues to close the return and try again.

Q: Can I create multiple ITRs for the same client for different tax years?

A: Yes. Each tax year requires a separate ITR task. Create a new task for each tax year you need to complete.

Q: Can I amend a return after it has been submitted to HMRC?

A: Yes, HMRC accepts amended returns within their standard time limits. In BrightTax, make the necessary corrections to the return and resubmit. The Submission History tab will record all submission attempts.

Q: How do I import self-employment figures from BrightAP?

A: In the Self-Employment subschedule, click Create then Link to Accounts and select BrightAP as the source. See the related article for full step-by-step guidance.

Q: Why are some fields in the return shown in grey?

A: Grey fields are calculated automatically by BrightTax and cannot be edited directly. They update when you save changes to the relevant income or deduction entries.