Got an HMRC nudge letter? Here’s why

10 June 2026 | Mrge_Acontants

HMRC has been sending out what are known as ‘nudge’ letters and follow-up texts to taxpayers who may have needed to estimate some of their calculations for the 2024/25 tax return. It has identified taxpayers that it believes have included ‘round sum’ estimates in their self-assessment return for 2024/25, and is reminding them they need to refile the correct return if they haven’t already done so.

This can happen if you don’t have all the exact information to fill in your tax return, and you need to estimate an amount so you can submit it on time. Failing to do this would lead to a late filing penalty if you filed after January 31, so it can make sense to submit what you think is correct, and then make any amendments later.

But those people who haven’t refiled their correct return yet, are being reminded that they need to by HMRC.

Don’t ignore the letter

If you have received one of these letters from HMRC, please don’t ignore it. You usually have 12 months from January 31 to refile the return with correct information. This would mean you should have until January 31, 2027, to amend the 2024/25 tax return. But HMRC is encouraging people to make their amendments sooner, and the letters may have a different deadline, said the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG).

Similar messages will be going out to all taxpayers in an equivalent position, and are designed to encourage you to check your returns in case they need refiling. If you haven’t got a letter but know that you need to refile your return with the correct information, then now would be a good time to adjust it.

Even if the amended figures are the same as the ones you submitted originally, you should still refile the return, said the LITRG. This is because you may have ticked a box on the original return saying it contained provisional figures. If that is the case, you need to refile and remember to untick that box before you resubmit your return.

What if I think my return is correct?

If you receive one of these letters but you believe everything in your tax return is correct, then you should contact HMRC’s Self-Assessment Helpline, said the LITRG, and they should be able to give you the right guidance.

You can also speak to your accountant to make sure you’re not mistaken and do have amendments to make to your tax return. Either way, checking now will be far better than realising a mistake has been made later.

If you choose to ignore the letter, or fail to contact HMRC by the date specified in the letter, you may find HMRC opens an enquiry into your self-assessment return for 2024/25, said the LITRG. If they then find your return does contain inaccuracies, you could face a penalty, and you may have to pay late payment interest if you haven’t paid enough tax.

We can help you

If you think you may need to refile your 2024/25 self-assessment tax return because you needed to update the figures, or because you believe you have made a different mistake, then please contact us and we will do everything we can to assist you.