| Overview |
BrightTax now lets you print the SA302 Prior Year Comparison report directly from the tax return. This report shows your client's current year tax position alongside the prior year's figures in a single view — useful for client meetings, mortgage applications, and year-on-year review.
| ℹ Note: The Prior Year Comparison report is available for the 2026/27 tax year. The standard SA302 Tax Calculation print (without comparison) remains available for all tax years — see Printing the SA302 Tax Calculation in BrightTax. |
| Before You Begin |
- The return must have been through Check and Calculate — the print option is only enabled once the return has been calculated.
- A prior year return must exist for the client in BrightTax — without prior year data there is nothing to compare against.
| How to Print the SA302 Prior Year Comparison |
- Open the Individual Tax Return in BrightTax.
- Go to the Self Assessment section.
- Click the Print button in the toolbar or header area.
- In the print menu, select SA302 Prior Year Comparison.
- Choose your output destination — printer or PDF — and print.
| ✔ Tip: If the SA302 Prior Year Comparison option does not appear in the print menu, check that Check and Calculate has been run on the current return. The option is hidden until the return has been calculated. |
| What the Report Contains |
The SA302 Prior Year Comparison report displays the same tax calculation figures as the standard SA302, with an additional column showing the equivalent figures from the prior year. This allows you and your client to see:
- Total income for the current and prior year
- Tax and National Insurance calculated for each year
- Payments on account and balancing payments
- Year-on-year changes in the overall tax position
| ⚠ Important: As with the standard SA302, the Prior Year Comparison report produced by BrightTax does not carry the HMRC logo. Commercial tax software is not permitted to reproduce the HMRC logo on printed documents. Most mortgage lenders accept a software-produced SA302 alongside a Tax Year Overview from the HMRC online account — confirm with the lender before providing this report for mortgage purposes. |
| Frequently Asked Questions |
Q: The SA302 Prior Year Comparison option is not showing in the print menu — why?
A: Two conditions must be met: the return must have been through Check and Calculate, and the client must have a prior year return in BrightTax. If either is missing, the option will not appear.
Q: Is this report accepted by mortgage lenders?
A: Most lenders accept a software-produced SA302 alongside a Tax Year Overview printed from the HMRC online account. However this is at the lender's discretion — always confirm requirements with the lender or broker before providing this report.
Q: Can I print the standard SA302 without the comparison?
A: Yes. The standard SA302 Tax Calculation print remains available from the same print menu — see Printing the SA302 Tax Calculation in BrightTax.
Q: Is the Prior Year Comparison available for earlier tax years?
A: The Prior Year Comparison print is available for the 2026/27 tax year. For earlier years, use the standard SA302 print.
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