Start your return for free — you only pay when you're ready to submit. SubmitFox submits directly to HMRC.
Start filing →If you are a director of a limited company in the UK, you are almost certainly required to file a Self Assessment tax return — regardless of how much you pay yourself. Here is what you need to know.
Do All Company Directors Need to File Self Assessment?
Yes — HMRC requires all company directors to register for and file a Self Assessment tax return, even if:
- Your only income is a salary taxed through PAYE
- You took no salary at all
- The company made a loss
The only exception is if HMRC has specifically written to you to say you do not need to file — which is rare for active directors.
What Does a Director Need to Declare?
Your Self Assessment should include all income you personally received during the tax year:
- Director's salary — declared even if already taxed through PAYE (use your P60)
- Dividends from your company and any other shareholdings
- Benefits in kind — company car, private medical insurance, etc. (from your P11D)
- Any rental income, investment income, or other personal income
- Director's loan account balance (if overdrawn)
How Are Salary and Dividends Taxed?
| Income type | Tax treatment 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| Director's salary | Income tax at standard rates via PAYE / Self Assessment |
| Dividends (first £500) | Dividend allowance — tax free |
| Dividends (basic rate) | 8.75% dividend tax rate |
| Dividends (higher rate) | 33.75% dividend tax rate |
| Dividends (additional rate) | 39.35% dividend tax rate |
| Benefits in kind | Income tax on cash equivalent value |
What Is Corporation Tax vs Self Assessment?
These are two separate filings:
- Corporation Tax (CT600) — filed by the company on company profits. SubmitFox also handles this.
- Self Assessment — filed by you personally on your personal income (salary, dividends, benefits)
Both are required. They are independent of each other and have different deadlines.
How to File Your Director's Self Assessment
Gather your documents
Collect your P60 (salary and PAYE tax paid), dividend vouchers for dividends taken, P11D for benefits in kind, and details of any other personal income.
Calculate your total income
Add salary + dividends + benefits + any other income. SubmitFox does this automatically once you enter the figures.
Apply allowances
Personal allowance (£12,570), dividend allowance (£500), and any pension contributions reduce your taxable income.
File with SubmitFox
Enter your director income details in SubmitFox. It calculates your tax, shows a clear breakdown, and submits directly to HMRC by the 31 January deadline.
File your director's Self Assessment with SubmitFox
Start your return for free — you only pay when you're ready to submit.
SubmitFox handles salary, dividends, and director's loans. Submits directly to HMRC. Start for free.
Common Questions
Yes. HMRC requires all company directors to file a Self Assessment, regardless of the amount of salary taken. If you received no income at all from the company, it is still best practice to file a nil return rather than risk penalties for non-filing.
The dividend allowance for 2024/25 is £500. This means the first £500 of dividend income is tax-free regardless of your tax band. Dividends above this amount are taxed at 8.75% (basic rate), 33.75% (higher rate), or 39.35% (additional rate).
Yes. These are completely separate filings. The CT600 is filed by your company on its profits. Your Self Assessment is filed by you personally on your personal income. Both are required and have different deadlines.
If your director's loan account is overdrawn at your company's year end — meaning the company has paid you more than you are owed — this triggers a Corporation Tax charge (S455 tax) on the company. If the loan exceeds £10,000, a benefit in kind may also apply, which you declare in your Self Assessment.
Dividends can only legally be paid from company profits. If your company made a loss, it cannot pay a lawful dividend. If dividends were paid contrary to this (illegal dividends), they are treated as director's loans for tax purposes, which has different consequences.