Being a company director in the UK comes with extra responsibilities especially when it comes to tax. If you’re a director of a limited company, even if you take only dividends and not a salary, you’re usually required to submit a Self Assessment tax return each year.
This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of completing a Director Self Assessment tax return in 2025, so you can stay compliant and avoid penalties.
Do company directors need to file a tax return?
Yes, in most cases.
If you are a company director, HMRC assumes you may have income that’s not taxed at source (like dividends), so you’re required to complete a Self Assessment tax return, even if your income is low.
Exception: If you’re a director of a non-profit and receive no income or benefits, you may not be required to file. But it’s always safest to check with HMRC or a tax adviser.
Step-by-step: How to file a director self assessment tax return
Filing as a director is similar to self-employed individuals, but with a few extra areas to consider such as dividends and salary.
1. Register for self assessment
If you haven’t filed before, register with HMRC by 5th October following the tax year you need to report.
- Visit: https://www.tax2u.co.uk/utr/self-assessment-registration
- You’ll receive a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) within 10 days.
2. Gather your income information
You’ll need to declare:
| Income Type | Source |
|---|---|
| Salary | Payslips from your company |
| Dividends | Dividend vouchers issued by your company |
| Other Income | Rental income, investments, etc. |
| P11D Benefits (if any) | Private medical, company car, etc. |
Tip: Even if you only took dividends, you must include them, as they are taxable above the £1,000 dividend allowance.
3. Claim allowable expenses or reliefs
As a director, you may be able to claim:
- Pension contributions (not paid by company)
- Business mileage (if not reimbursed)
- Charitable donations
- Professional subscriptions
These can reduce your overall tax liability.
4. Complete the tax return online
Log into HMRC’s Self Assessment portal and fill in:
- SA100 (main tax return)
- SA102 (employment) – for salary income
- SA109 (if you live abroad) – if you’re a non-UK resident
- SA103/SA105/SA108 – if you have self-employment, property or capital gains
Be sure to input all dividend and salary income correctly under the right sections.
5. Submit and pay on time
- Deadline for online submission: 31 January
- Deadline for payment: 31 January
If you owe more than £1,000 in tax, HMRC may ask you to make Payments on account for the following tax year.
What happens if you don’t file?
Failing to file your director Self Assessment on time could result in:
- £100 late filing penalty (even if you owe no tax)
- Additional daily penalties after 3 months
- Interest and late payment penalties
Directors are personally responsible for submitting their tax return, even if an accountant manages the company’s accounts.
Common mistakes directors make
- Forgetting to include dividend income
- Not registering on time
- Missing the 31 January deadline
- Assuming PAYE income means no tax return is needed
- Ignoring P11D benefits
How Tax2u can help
Filing a Self Assessment as a director doesn’t have to be complicated. At Tax2u, we:
- Handle the full submission process
- Accurately report your salary and dividend income
- Ensure you claim all available reliefs
- Prevent HMRC penalties through timely filing
Start your director tax return with Tax2u – Fast, compliant, and stress-free.