very worried about January deadlne for tax return

[tracey.]

Hi Ill try to keep this brief;
self employment started April 6th 2024, sole trader, plumber, When I met him he said not to do software book keeping, wanted spreadsheets and ledger files etc. I duly collected all this and delievered to his office in April; 2025. I called him in August as hadnt heard anything, was told he was retiring and someone else was taking over.
Long story short, return still hasnt been filed, the person who has taken over only works one day a week - theyve assured me it wil be done in time but on HMRC social media i am seeing that tax agents are having some trouble accessing hmrc to file.
In additin, we have tried to contact hmrc as although we have the utr, i dont know the password for my goverment gateway account....going round in circles on the hmrc website, keeps asking me for the password, wnt let me reset without...the password! Tried to phone on the short window of time between when i finish work and when they close - can never get through!
Anyway, I am bracing myself for the fact that i might have to complete the tax return myself. So...is the form called SA103F... that's the one which looks most relevant.
Also I am now using Freeagent as suggested by my new accountant - it looks like i might be able to file from that - I've input all the 24/25 figures. Is that correct or do I need another form as well. And also, with the form, if i cant get into my gateway, how would i get t to hmrc?

Finally , Ive looked at HMRC youtube to see if theres any useful videos as some of the SA103F form I dont understand - but theres a minefield of videos, can you recommend any?

I would ask new accountant but i cant afford to pay both accountants, even tho the original one doesnt seem to be doing anything I am still expecting to get an invoice

Thanks

 

[DWS]

Hi Ill try to keep this brief;
self employment started April 6th 2024, sole trader, plumber, When I met him he said not to do software book keeping, wanted spreadsheets and ledger files etc. I duly collected all this and delievered to his office in April; 2025. I called him in August as hadnt heard anything, was told he was retiring and someone else was taking over.
Long story short, return still hasnt been filed, the person who has taken over only works one day a week - theyve assured me it wil be done in time but on HMRC social media i am seeing that tax agents are having some trouble accessing hmrc to file.
In additin, we have tried to contact hmrc as although we have the utr, i dont know the password for my goverment gateway account....going round in circles on the hmrc website, keeps asking me for the password, wnt let me reset without...the password! Tried to phone on the short window of time between when i finish work and when they close - can never get through!
Anyway, I am bracing myself for the fact that i might have to complete the tax return myself. So...is the form called SA103F... that's the one which looks most relevant.
Also I am now using Freeagent as suggested by my new accountant - it looks like i might be able to file from that - I've input all the 24/25 figures. Is that correct or do I need another form as well. And also, with the form, if i cant get into my gateway, how would i get t to hmrc?

Finally , Ive looked at HMRC youtube to see if theres any useful videos as some of the SA103F form I dont understand - but theres a minefield of videos, can you recommend any?

I would ask new accountant but i cant afford to pay both accountants, even tho the original one doesnt seem to be doing anything I am still expecting to get an invoice

Thanks

Contact the Accountant and tell them you want your accounts finalised and submitted ASAP, tell them the first Accountant has had the information since April and they have had since August, not sure why you would be expecting an invoice if by the sounds of it nothing has been done, not acceptable in my opinion for accounts to take this long if you have provided all the information that was asked from you.
No problems submitting tax returns to HMRC, I have submitted 4 or 5 this week.
Also unsure how your new Accountant can be carrying on the accounts without the previous years completed, which one is authorised with HMRC to act for you? seems strange and I certainly would not have taken on a client until they had finished with their old Accountant otherwise how do they obtain professional clearance.

 

[tracey.]

New accountant is the one I've spoken to about doing next years. I'm so annoyed with myself that I didn't contact them more to make sure but looking at my emails there were several which have gone unanswered. Mentioned it a few times on business groups on social media and blindly followed the comments of 'wouldnt worry about it, I don't hear from my accountant until it's time for their invoice once filed etc '. I expected to be able to trust them therefore I didn't want to keep emailing to ask if they've done their job.
So...no point crying over spilt milk. I might need to do this myself so any guidance as to the form SA103F, how I actually send it and whether it can be submitted on Freeagent with just the UTR seeing as I can't get onto my gateway Will be greatly appreciated

 

[DWS]

New accountant is the one I've spoken to about doing next years. I'm so annoyed with myself that I didn't contact them more to make sure but looking at my emails there were several which have gone unanswered. Mentioned it a few times on business groups on social media and blindly followed the comments of 'wouldnt worry about it, I don't hear from my accountant until it's time for their invoice once filed etc '. I expected to be able to trust them therefore I didn't want to keep emailing to ask if they've done their job.
So...no point crying over spilt milk. I might need to do this myself so any guidance as to the form SA103F, how I actually send it and whether it can be submitted on Freeagent with just the UTR seeing as I can't get onto my gateway Will be greatly appreciated

The SA103F is the full form so depending on Turnover you should be able to submit the short form which means less information to send.
I don’t use FreeAgent but if you can submit tax returns using it I would still expect that you would need to have your HMRC login details for it to be accepted.
Even though I only have the clients UTR for submission to HMRC I still need my HMRC agent details when submitting on my software.

 

[WaveJumper]

Personally I would put more effort into chasing your accountant rather than spending time chasing your tail on various websites, barring this one of course.

Do you have a letter of engagement with this accountant (assuming you do) any fines coming your way will have to be picked up by them if they not delivered on time. The whole idea of having an accountant at the end of the day, certainly in my book ..... is so I don't get stressed out, I've moved that "stress monkey from my shoulder to theirs"

Also as you have found out the hard way (and a lesson to anyone reading this forum) always make sure you have the access codes to your accounts. I make it a rule throughout the year to log on to my HMRC accounts just to check every thing is tickety boo

 

[syedsheraz]

For a sole trader, SA103S is usually enough unless your accounts are complex; SA103F is the full form. Since your 24/25 figures are in FreeAgent, you can file directly through it once you regain Government Gateway access. Keep trying HMRC for a password reset. Also, get your old accountant to formally disengage so you’re not paying twice. HMRC’s official SA103/self-employment videos are the most useful guides.

 

[tracey.]

For a sole trader, SA103S is usually enough unless your accounts are complex; SA103F is the full form. Since your 24/25 figures are in FreeAgent, you can file directly through it once you regain Government Gateway access. Keep trying HMRC for a password reset. Also, get your old accountant to formally disengage so you’re not paying twice. HMRC’s official SA103/self-employment videos are the most useful guides.

Thank you. I'm wondering am I best writing to them re this password?

 

[Newchodge]

Thank you. I'm wondering am I best writing to them re this password?

No. You're best ringing them at 8 am, 0or whatever time they open, even if it means taking time off work.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Hi Ill try to keep this brief;
self employment started April 6th 2024, sole trader, plumber, When I met him he said not to do software book keeping, wanted spreadsheets and ledger files etc. I duly collected all this and delievered to his office in April; 2025. I called him in August as hadnt heard anything, was told he was retiring and someone else was taking over.
Long story short, return still hasnt been filed, the person who has taken over only works one day a week - theyve assured me it wil be done in time but on HMRC social media i am seeing that tax agents are having some trouble accessing hmrc to file.
In additin, we have tried to contact hmrc as although we have the utr, i dont know the password for my goverment gateway account....going round in circles on the hmrc website, keeps asking me for the password, wnt let me reset without...the password! Tried to phone on the short window of time between when i finish work and when they close - can never get through!
Anyway, I am bracing myself for the fact that i might have to complete the tax return myself. So...is the form called SA103F... that's the one which looks most relevant.
Also I am now using Freeagent as suggested by my new accountant - it looks like i might be able to file from that - I've input all the 24/25 figures. Is that correct or do I need another form as well. And also, with the form, if i cant get into my gateway, how would i get t to hmrc?

Finally , Ive looked at HMRC youtube to see if theres any useful videos as some of the SA103F form I dont understand - but theres a minefield of videos, can you recommend any?

I would ask new accountant but i cant afford to pay both accountants, even tho the original one doesnt seem to be doing anything I am still expecting to get an invoice

Thanks

Don't worry about social media posts saying agents are having issues submitting tax returns. I've not had any issues.

Please speak with your accountant - you've had really bad service. If you aren't able to contact them or aren't happy with the reponse you can change.

Trying to DIY is (with respect) on par with me trying to do my own plumbing. It would go badly.

Your accountant should be there to save you tax and ensure your accounts and tax returns are prepared properly. You shouldn't have an accountant and have to try and deal with tax returns yourself!

I am a big fan of FreeAgent, I use it myself for bookkeeping and have clients that use it, but to prepare year end accounts and tax returns properly you still need a good level of tax knowledge. I don't use FreeAgent for year end accounts or tax returns.

 

[tracey.]

Ok,l Ive had a look at both SA103S and SA103F...quick question , where do i record my drawings? is there another part to the form?
I'm really hoping I dont have to do this myself, Ive emailed accountant this morning but no reply as yet and they only work Fridays so Im preparing as best as I can, I'll be phoning HMRC on Saturday morning to see of i can reset log in.

 

[Newchodge]

Ok,l Ive had a look at both SA103S and SA103F...quick question , where do i record my drawings? is there another part to the form?
I'm really hoping I dont have to do this myself, Ive emailed accountant this morning but no reply as yet and they only work Fridays so Im preparing as best as I can, I'll be phoning HMRC on Saturday morning to see of i can reset log in.

You don't report your drawings. As a sole trader all the money that comes in is your personal income, whether you choose to 'leave it in the business' or not,

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Ok,l Ive had a look at both SA103S and SA103F...quick question , where do i record my drawings?....

If you need use SA103F drawings go in box 98 (page 5)

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Assuming you still have all of the files, find a new accountant - there are some great ones on here.

 

[Lisa Thomas]

Best to avoid filing the returns yourself as mistakes can be costly. If you don't find a new accountant on here, happy to recommend one. One accountant I know simply files the basic return by the deadline then makes any corrections afterwards, once they have more time. IN any event I believe the penalties are small for late filing.

 

[DWS]

One accountant I know simply files the basic return by the deadline then makes any corrections afterwards, once they have more time. IN any event I believe the penalties are small for late filing.

That sounds very professional!
£100 late filing penalty followed by harsher ones after 3 months

 

[Lisa Thomas]

Seems to work for them and their clients, and buys time to avoid the penalties.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Seems to work for them and their clients, and buys time to avoid the penalties.

It may work (in the short term/until HMRC realise) but intentionally submitting an incorrect tax return is really not wise.

EM4860 - Penalties: Assisting and Inducing Incorrect Returns, Accounts etc - HMRC internal manual - GOV.UK

www.gov.uk

 

[Lisa Thomas]

It may work (in the short term/until HMRC realise) but intentionally submitting an incorrect tax return is really not wise.

EM4860 - Penalties: Assisting and Inducing Incorrect Returns, Accounts etc - HMRC internal manual - GOV.UK

www.gov.uk

That's up to them. I'm not commenting on whether it's wise or not, just pointing out I'm aware that that's how one firm deals with latecomers.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

That's up to them. I'm not commenting on whether it's wise or not, just pointing out I'm aware that that's how one firm deals with latecomers.

It is, but it's important for anyone reading this to undertstand the implications of knowingly submitting an incorrect tax return.

It's not something I'd ever suggest or consider.

 

[tracey.]

So, Ive been into see the accountant twice now, been assured that all will be done by Xmas. Ive worked out that as Ive taken drawings over £12,570 , I will have approx £1000 to pay in income tax and NI. I am a sole trader.
Business wise - broke even this year with income and outgoings more or less the same as new equipment, van purchased and a slow start whilst I got estblished with regular clients.
Now, i know I shouldve checked this but to be honest, with a professional accountant advising me I didnt think I would have to...but the original accountant informed me that the submission deadline is Jan 31st 2026 and any tax I owe would be payable by April 2026.
However, I am looking at a few sites here and there and it seems that its due to be PAID by end of January, which I hadnt budgeted for at all!
Honestly. I could kick myself for not looking around for accountants, since signing up to this one Ive had numerous recommendations from colleagues but by then I had already signed the letter of engagement and had no reason to assume that he would be useless!
Also (see seperate post about signing into HMRC account), I am just wondering if he has changed my sign in details - he asked for my user ID and password which I gave him thinking that was a usual occurance!
I cant see HMRC (if I ever manage to speak to them) being sympathetic regarding payment. And as I canrt even get into my account to pay, it will be a late payment!

 

[Ziggy2024]

So, Ive been into see the accountant twice now, been assured that all will be done by Xmas. Ive worked out that as Ive taken drawings over £12,570 , I will have approx £1000 to pay in income tax and NI. I am a sole trader.
Business wise - broke even this year with income and outgoings more or less the same as new equipment, van purchased and a slow start whilst I got estblished with regular clients.
Now, i know I shouldve checked this but to be honest, with a professional accountant advising me I didnt think I would have to...but the original accountant informed me that the submission deadline is Jan 31st 2026 and any tax I owe would be payable by April 2026.
However, I am looking at a few sites here and there and it seems that its due to be PAID by end of January, which I hadnt budgeted for at all!
Honestly. I could kick myself for not looking around for accountants, since signing up to this one Ive had numerous recommendations from colleagues but by then I had already signed the letter of engagement and had no reason to assume that he would be useless!
Also (see seperate post about signing into HMRC account), I am just wondering if he has changed my sign in details - he asked for my user ID and password which I gave him thinking that was a usual occurance!
I cant see HMRC (if I ever manage to speak to them) being sympathetic regarding payment. And as I canrt even get into my account to pay, it will be a late payment!

Your tax is based on profit not drawings. If the business has broken even then you may not have any tax to pay.

In terms of payment you don't need to log into your gov gateway to make your payment so you will be fine there (although you do need to get access to it).

Keep contacting your accountant for updates!

 

[tracey.]

thanks for your reply...how would I pay if there is an amount to be paid and I cant get onto my account though?

 

[DWS]

So, Ive been into see the accountant twice now, been assured that all will be done by Xmas. Ive worked out that as Ive taken drawings over £12,570 , I will have approx £1000 to pay in income tax and NI. I am a sole trader.
Business wise - broke even this year with income and outgoings more or less the same as new equipment, van purchased and a slow start whilst I got estblished with regular clients.
Now, i know I shouldve checked this but to be honest, with a professional accountant advising me I didnt think I would have to...but the original accountant informed me that the submission deadline is Jan 31st 2026 and any tax I owe would be payable by April 2026.
However, I am looking at a few sites here and there and it seems that its due to be PAID by end of January, which I hadnt budgeted for at all!
Honestly. I could kick myself for not looking around for accountants, since signing up to this one Ive had numerous recommendations from colleagues but by then I had already signed the letter of engagement and had no reason to assume that he would be useless!
Also (see seperate post about signing into HMRC account), I am just wondering if he has changed my sign in details - he asked for my user ID and password which I gave him thinking that was a usual occurance!
I cant see HMRC (if I ever manage to speak to them) being sympathetic regarding payment. And as I canrt even get into my account to pay, it will be a late payment!

Tax return and any tax owed for 2024/2025 is due by 31st Jan 2026
I know you said your profit is low but be aware that the VAT threshold is £90k so you need to look at your turnover as well as profit.
No professional Accountant should ask for your HMRC login details they should have their own Agent account in which to submit clients accounts.

 

[Ziggy2024]

thanks for your reply...how would I pay if there is an amount to be paid and I cant get onto my account though?

Normal online bank payment from your bank with your UTR as your reference.

 

[tracey.]

Thanks, nowhere near VAT threshold yet thankfully. With regards to the details he;s asked for (password etc), I am wondering why he wanted it, the firm he worked for does have their own tax suite . Baffled, tbh.

 

[DWS]

Thanks, nowhere near VAT threshold yet thankfully. With regards to the details he;s asked for (password etc), I am wondering why he wanted it, the firm he worked for does have their own tax suite . Baffled,

So is it the new Accountant asking for your login details?
I thought from your original post that a completely different firm of accountants had taken over your accounts or is it just a new person from the same firm?

---

 

[tracey.]

no, sorry, ...the accounting firm I signed up with in april 2024...the accountant allocated to me is the one who asked for my log in info. He retired, another employee of the same company took over my accounts in August. So I am waiting for them to submit to hmrc once theyve finished everything.
Needless to say, I wont be using them again so I have a new accountancy firm lined up to do my 25/26 return.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

thanks for your reply...how would I pay if there is an amount to be paid and I cant get onto my account though?

Lots of options for paying the tax due have a read here - https://www.gov.uk/pay-self-assessment-tax-bill

This may also help https://www.gov.uk/difficulties-paying-hmrc

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

So, Ive been into see the accountant twice now, been assured that all will be done by Xmas. Ive worked out that as Ive taken drawings over £12,570 , I will have approx £1000 to pay in income tax and NI. I am a sole trader.
Business wise - broke even this year with income and outgoings more or less the same as new equipment, van purchased and a slow start whilst I got estblished with regular clients.
Now, i know I shouldve checked this but to be honest, with a professional accountant advising me I didnt think I would have to...but the original accountant informed me that the submission deadline is Jan 31st 2026 and any tax I owe would be payable by April 2026.
However, I am looking at a few sites here and there and it seems that its due to be PAID by end of January, which I hadnt budgeted for at all!
.....

Do make sure to ask your accountant exactly how the tax due is calculated.

Self Assessment tax isn't based on drawings - it is based on sales less expenses which are allowable for tax (which always exclude drawings and private monies you've taken out of the business)

Gov.uk also have an explanation of how Self Assessment tax is paid here

 

[tracey.]

Well... via email , they told me they wanted my job done by Xmas. As expected, this hasnt happened. I have a few questions (Xmas Eve...sorry about this)
1 - Despite preferring to use an accountant, I think this year I might have to file the return myself. Ive got all the info now on Freeagent. Should I submit via Freeagent or HMRCGov Gateway.
Do you foresee any problems with this? As I am now (apparantly, but not sure I believe them) set up on their tax suite and they can file via that, would this cause any issues when I try to do it? Am I likely to run into problems due to being registered with them which might then cause issues for them if I have to wait for them to do it?

2 - in the unlikely event they call me on the 5th Jan and theyre ready to submit, is it usual for an accountant to request payment before they will submit? I have many many questions about the time theyve alledgedly spent on this and will be examining the invoice in microscopic detail. But if they want me to pay before they click 'go' then I am fairly stuffed.

Thank you for reading this and also thanks to all who have replied to this and my other posts.

 

[DWS]

Well... via email , they told me they wanted my job done by Xmas. As expected, this hasnt happened. I have a few questions (Xmas Eve...sorry about this)
1 - Despite preferring to use an accountant, I think this year I might have to file the return myself. Ive got all the info now on Freeagent. Should I submit via Freeagent or HMRCGov Gateway.
Do you foresee any problems with this? As I am now (apparantly, but not sure I believe them) set up on their tax suite and they can file via that, would this cause any issues when I try to do it? Am I likely to run into problems due to being registered with them which might then cause issues for them if I have to wait for them to do it?

2 - in the unlikely event they call me on the 5th Jan and theyre ready to submit, is it usual for an accountant to request payment before they will submit? I have many many questions about the time theyve alledgedly spent on this and will be examining the invoice in microscopic detail. But if they want me to pay before they click 'go' then I am fairly stuffed.

Thank you for reading this and also thanks to all who have replied to this and my other posts.

Just because you are set up with the Accountant does not mean you cannot submit the accounts yourself if you want to.
Yes it is normal for an Accountant to expect payment before submission, why shouldn’t they if they have done the work? I certainly do not submit a tax return unless I have the signed declarations and payment.

 

[Newchodge]

You’re definitely not alone in feeling stressed about the January tax return deadline. The key is to act early, gather your records, check what’s outstanding, and speak to your accountant as soon as possible. Even if you’re running late, submitting something on time is always better than missing the deadline entirely.

Have you bothered to read the OP's issue?

 

[tracey.]

Seems like a deadlock situation if they'll want payment before submitting as I will most certainly be wanting to see evidence of the time they think has been spent on consultations, emails, phone calls. In actual fact phone calls were never returned, emails went unread yet I've been told there quite a lot of consultation time to charge for

 

[DWS]

Seems like a deadlock situation if they'll want payment before submitting as I will most certainly be wanting to see evidence of the time they think has been spent on consultations, emails, phone calls. In actual fact phone calls were never returned, emails went unread yet I've been told there quite a lot of consultation time to charge for

I cannot speak about other Accountants I can only say how I work, the majority of my sole trader clients I just charge a set fee for their end of year accounts, I do not charge for phone calls and emails as that is part of the service I offer, I complete the accounts and send them to the client along with my invoice, when the client is happy they sign off the accounts, pay me and the accounts are then submitted.
The fee is known beforehand so there is never any problems with unknown extras.

 

[tracey.]

Thanks.. this is how my new accountant works. If I had known when I first went into business that I should ask on here before appointing them I would never have signed up with them

 

[tracey.]

still no contact so Ive emailed them telling them to cease work on my SA. Last week, they said I would have the accounts back by Friday. Its now late on Tuesday and I havent heard from them.
Ive got all 24/25 now on freeagent and I started on the tax return on freeagent but there was a sentence on the page saying make sure youre registered with hmrc as self employed so I checked on my government gateway. There is nothing at all on there about self employment from 2024. I went on the online chat and was informed that they had no record of me being self employed. Now, I admit to being completely naive about this but when I was first setting up my business i spoke to hmrc and from there they sent me my GG logon number. From then I spoke to the accountant and gave him the UTR.
I then received an email saying that I was set up on the accountants tax suite software.
It never occurred to me that I wouldnt be registered as self employed, I assumed with the being set up on their tax suite, all was in hand.
In November I emailed my concerns to the owner of the accountant company who said that i am set up on the tax suite/commercial software but he cannot find me on the HMRC agent website..."but this is only relevant further down the line as all we need is the UTR'
Does that seem believable? Given the lack of communication I have now decided that it would be in my best interests to get the return done elsewhere. The HMRC lady I spoke to today said I need to register as self employed and the whole registration could take three weeks - which takes me over into Feb BUT she said as long as I make a payment, the actual return window wil be extended. Ive calculated what I think I should pay according to my free agent account.
So...before I go any further with anything at all,,,,,does this late registration have any possible cautionarys?

 

[Ziggy2024]

still no contact so Ive emailed them telling them to cease work on my SA. Last week, they said I would have the accounts back by Friday. Its now late on Tuesday and I havent heard from them.
Ive got all 24/25 now on freeagent and I started on the tax return on freeagent but there was a sentence on the page saying make sure youre registered with hmrc as self employed so I checked on my government gateway. There is nothing at all on there about self employment from 2024. I went on the online chat and was informed that they had no record of me being self employed. Now, I admit to being completely naive about this but when I was first setting up my business i spoke to hmrc and from there they sent me my GG logon number. From then I spoke to the accountant and gave him the UTR.
I then received an email saying that I was set up on the accountants tax suite software.
It never occurred to me that I wouldnt be registered as self employed, I assumed with the being set up on their tax suite, all was in hand.
In November I emailed my concerns to the owner of the accountant company who said that i am set up on the tax suite/commercial software but he cannot find me on the HMRC agent website..."but this is only relevant further down the line as all we need is the UTR'
Does that seem believable? Given the lack of communication I have now decided that it would be in my best interests to get the return done elsewhere. The HMRC lady I spoke to today said I need to register as self employed and the whole registration could take three weeks - which takes me over into Feb BUT she said as long as I make a payment, the actual return window wil be extended. Ive calculated what I think I should pay according to my free agent account.
So...before I go any further with anything at all,,,,,does this late registration have any possible cautionarys?

You have a UTR, how did you get this if you didn't register for self employment? Seems a bit of a strange scenario?

You can still submit a return I believe, the accountant not seeing you on HMRC is talking about as an agent.

 

[DWS]

You have a UTR, how did you get this if you didn't register for self employment? Seems a bit of a strange scenario?

You can still submit a return I believe, the accountant not seeing you on HMRC is talking about as an agent.

OP may have mistakenly registered for self assessment instead of self employment.
Yes tax return can still be submitted as long as they have a UTR.

 

[tracey.]

yes, maybe thats what happened probably thought registering for self assessment and self employment was one and the same thing.
Ive logged onto hmrc with the UTR and cant see on there where to submit the return, although i can see the 'make a payment' link.
I was just going to submit it on free agent but there s a notice saying that once submitted, the 24/25 figures are locked so i am unsure whether to click submit and just see what happens...bit worried because then if it doesnt go to plan, I am a bit stuck!

 

[Daybooks]

yes, maybe thats what happened probably thought registering for self assessment and self employment was one and the same thing.
Ive logged onto hmrc with the UTR and cant see on there where to submit the return, although i can see the 'make a payment' link.
I was just going to submit it on free agent but there s a notice saying that once submitted, the 24/25 figures are locked so i am unsure whether to click submit and just see what happens...bit worried because then if it doesnt go to plan, I am a bit stuck!

There is no Self Employed Register for you to enrol onto.

An obligation to “notify” HMRC arises from section 7 of the Taxes Management Act 1970, which requires anyone who becomes chargeable to income tax or capital gains tax, and who has not been issued with a notice to file a tax return, to inform HMRC of that liability within six months of the end of the tax year.

This duty applies equally to self‑employment income, rental income, gains, or any other taxable source. However, where HMRC has already issued a notice to file a return under section 8 TMA, the duty to notify does not arise: you simply include the new income (such as newly‑started self‑employment) on the return you are already required to submit.

Conversely, if no notice to file has been issued and you begin self‑employment that gives rise to a tax liability, section 7 requires you to notify HMRC by the statutory deadline — but this is not a requirement to “register as self‑employed,” since no such register exists; it is purely the statutory duty to notify chargeability.