Self Assessment

Can anyone give me a few bald facts on what I should do before I call the tax people? Every time I phone HMR they seem disdainful and freak me out. Back in the states, half of my family are accountants, but I don't know any UK ones.

I moved to the UK in September 09. I temped during October, worked at a law firm for three months and quit because they were wretched to me, and then temped again at the local council until the end of the financial year. I also did a tiny bit of tutoring in the states, but made less than $1000 over this time. In pounds, I probably made around 5,000 pounds, maybe a little more.

I was told I needed to do a self-assessment. I got the code to sign in and everything, but I don't understand what exactly they want me to do. They already know how much I made, surely. Do they want me to prove my US income? How do I do that? Does it matter here as it's such a small sum and it never even entered the UK? I just used it to pay off my US student loan. I'm confused and would appreciate some straightforward advice.

Thanks in advance and happy holidays!

Self Assessment is normally for self-employed people, if you were paid by these firms they would normally deal with tax issues for their employees.  Did you get a P45 or even pay slips from them?

Yeah I did, which is why I was confused that I was told I had to do this in the first place. I haven't been self-employed at all since entering the UK.

I figured it was the foreign income, but I still don't know what the heck to do. Get bank printouts from the US bank? Even with that amount I should come below the personal allowance for paying tax.

Who told you that you needed to do a self-assessment?  If you get a letter from HMRC saying you need to do it, then you better well do it.  It's pretty straight forward on their computer system and it helps you work through it pretty easily.  I'm PAYE but I have gotten letters which say I need to do it.  I've been OK, I've gotten refunds every time I've done it. 

If someone else told you need to do it, then I'd try and figure out if you really need to. 

Yes, it was the HMRC. I did as much of it as I could, and I called them and waited half an hour on hold and got a guy who was bored, but not disdainful and talking down to me. I do have to put down how much I made in the States, but I won't be taxed because of the dual tax agreement, and I don't have to provide proof, either, which seems rather trusting of them.

If you make less than 6,000, do you get all of your tax back? Because if so, I'm due back about 650 pounds, which would be reaaally useful right about now.