| Overview |
All BrightTax return types now include a General Notes field. Use this field to record internal information against a return — handover notes between team members, client-specific instructions, reminders about follow-up actions, or any other information your team needs to track alongside the return.
| ✔ General Notes are for your team only. They are never included in HMRC submissions, never printed on any output, and have no effect on the return calculation or IRMark. They are purely informational. |
| Where the Notes Field Is Available |
| Return Type | Notes Available From | Typical Use |
| Individual Tax Return (ITR) | 17 July 2026 | Client preferences, part-year notes, handover between colleagues |
| Partnership Tax Return (PTR) | 17 July 2026 | Partner allocation reminders, filing notes |
| VAT Return | 17 July 2026 | Period-specific adjustments to review, scheme notes |
| Corporation Tax Return (CT) | 23 July 2026 | CT computation reminders, year-end adjustments to note |
| Accounts Production (AP) | 24 July 2026 | Year-end accounts preparation notes, client instructions |
| How to Add a General Note |
- Open the return in BrightTax.
- Switch to Edit mode using the toggle in the bottom-left corner — the Notes field is not editable in read-only mode.
- Locate the General Notes field — this is typically found on the Summary or Overview tab of the return.
- Click into the Notes field and type your note.
- Save the return. The note is saved with the return and will be visible to all team members who open it.
| ✔ Tip: General Notes are visible to anyone who opens the return in BrightTax. Use them for information that is relevant to the whole team — not for sensitive client communications, which should be stored in your document management system. |
| What General Notes Are For |
- Handover notes when a return is being passed between colleagues
- Client-specific instructions — for example, client wants certain items on back-end schedules
- Reminders about outstanding information or follow-up actions
- Internal tracking information relevant to the return
| What General Notes Are Not For |
- Client-facing communications — notes are never shown to clients or included in any output
- Adjusting the return calculation — notes have no effect on figures, IRMark, or submission
- Permanent record-keeping — notes are attached to the return but are not a substitute for your firm's document management process
| ℹ Note: Notes are excluded from the IRMark calculation and from all HMRC and GovTalk submission payloads. Adding, editing, or deleting a note does not affect the return in any way other than saving the note text. |
| Frequently Asked Questions |
Q: Will my notes be submitted to HMRC?
A: No. General Notes are explicitly excluded from all HMRC and GovTalk submission payloads. They are never transmitted to HMRC under any circumstances.
Q: Can all team members see the notes?
A: Yes. Notes are visible to all BrightTax users who have access to the return. They are stored at the return level, not the user level.
Q: Can I edit or delete a note?
A: Yes. Open the return in Edit mode, update or clear the Notes field, and save.
Q: Do notes roll forward to the next year?
A: No. General Notes are specific to the return they are added to and do not roll forward automatically. Add a fresh note to the new year's return if needed.
Q: Is there a character limit on notes?
A: There is no published character limit. Notes are intended for brief internal text — for longer documentation, use your document management system.
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