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Ask Martinfrom MRS Bookkeeping

Ask Martin

Free, plain-English help with tax and business money.

Earning on the side, getting rent, or working for yourself? Find out what you need to tell HMRC, what to do and by when, and whether your books are in good shape. Everything here is free to use, print and share.

Please note: this is general information, not tax advice.

Everyone's situation is different. If you're not sure what applies to you, check GOV.UK or talk to a qualified professional.

Start with your questionNot sure where to begin? The tax return help sheets start with a few simple yes/no questions.

Plain English throughoutShort sentences, everyday words, and tax words explained.

Official sources linkedFigures are checked against GOV.UK and HMRC, with the links to prove it.

Choose what you need

Four ways to get clear.

Pick the one that matches the question in front of you. You can come back here at any time.

For the 2025/26 tax year

Tax return help sheets

Six short handouts on whether you need to do a tax return, and what to do if you do. Download, print or share them.

  • Do I need to tell HMRC? Start here
  • Side gigs, rent, and sole traders
  • Making Tax Digital, VAT, and getting help
See the help sheetsDownload Sheet A (PDF)

Due 31 January 2027

Tax Ready

Get ahead of the January tax return rush: what HMRC needs, what to do next, and whether to do it yourself or get help.

  • 2-minute tax return check
  • Six steps, in order
  • Choosing help, or doing it yourself
Open Tax ReadyTake the 2-minute check

Step-by-step guides

Business guides

Interactive guides that check what applies to you and link straight to the official guidance.

  • Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
  • Making Tax Digital for VAT
  • Sole trader, partnership or limited company?
Open the business guides

A few minutes

Books Ready Check

Would your books be ready if someone asked for them tomorrow? Answer six short topics and see what looks strong and what needs attention first.

  • Six short topics
  • Your result straight away
  • Nothing you answer leaves your device
Check my books

Ask Martin in person

Free drop-in clinics.

I run free "Ask Martin" drop-in clinics locally. Bring your questions, and take away the help sheets.

Next clinic

To be announced

New dates will appear here.

Want one near you?

Ask for a clinic

Run a pub, village hall or community group? Email me to talk about hosting a free clinic.

About Ask Martin

Who's behind this, and its limits.

I'm Martin Schmalenbach of MRS Bookkeeping in Dolton, Devon. Ask Martin is a free public service: the aim is to help people get it right, whether or not they ever use a bookkeeper.

Supervised and registeredMRS Bookkeeping is supervised by HMRC for anti-money-laundering purposes and is a registered HMRC agent. Registered with the ICO (ZC104719). Professional indemnity insured.

General information, not adviceNothing here is tax, legal or financial advice for your situation. Official guidance from HMRC and GOV.UK always comes first.

Your privacyThese pages use no cookies or tracking and ask for no personal details. The Books Ready Check runs in your browser and nothing you answer is sent anywhere.

Corrections welcomedSpotted a mistake or something unclear? Let me know. Full policies are in the legal and privacy information.