7 Ways to Prepare Your Clients for the January Tax Rush

Help your clients stay stress-free—and your team stay sane—during the busiest season for UK accountants.

January is one of the most hectic times of the year for UK accounting professionals. With the 31 January Self Assessment tax return deadline looming, it's a race against time to collect missing documents, chase clients, and complete filings.

The key to surviving (and thriving) during the January tax rush is preparation—not just for you, but for your clients too.

Here are 7 ways to prepare clients ahead of time to ensure a smooth tax season for everyone.

✅ 1. Send Early Reminders (More Than Once)

Don’t wait until January to prompt clients. Start sending friendly reminders in October or November and follow up again in December.

📧 Tip: Use automated emails or scheduled messages via your practice management tool.

What to include:

• A reminder of the 31 Jan deadline

• A checklist of what they need to send

• Penalties for missing the deadline

🗂️ 2. Give Clients a Checklist of Required Documents

Many delays happen because clients don’t know what to provide. Share a clear, downloadable checklist with:

• Income sources (employment, self-employment, property)

• Business expenses

• Bank statements

• Pension and investment details

• Previous tax return (if not already on file)
  

🎁 Bonus: Include it in your email signature or as a link on your website.

📆 3. Encourage Early Submissions with Incentives

Offer perks for early birds. This could be:

• A small discount for returns submitted before 15 December

• Priority processing for early filers

• Entry into a small giveaway or prize draw
  

This creates positive urgency and spreads out your workload.

📞 4. Schedule Calls Strategically

Don’t let January turn into nonstop client calls. Instead:

• Pre-book time slots with clients in December

• Limit January calls to emergencies or final reviews

• Use online booking tools (like Calendly) to keep it efficient

5. Outsource Finance Wisely

Hiring an in-house finance team too early can drain capital. Instead:

 • Use a part-time CFO for strategic forecasting, funding, and board reporting

 • Outsource bookkeeping, payroll, and tax compliance to stay lean and accurate

That’s where TwinTallies comes in—providing UK startups with reliable, cost-effective accounting that scales as you grow.

📤 5. Use Cloud Portals to Collect Documents

Avoid chasing paperwork via email. Instead, set up a secure portal or shared folder (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive) so clients can upload everything in one place.

📌 Pro tip: Label folders clearly (e.g., “2024-25 Self Assessment”) and give clients upload instructions.

🛡️ 6. Educate Clients on Penalties for Late Filing

Sometimes clients respond better when they understand the risks:

• £100 instant fine for missing the 31 Jan deadline

• Additional fines for continued delay

• Interest charged on late payments
  

No scare tactics—just honest facts to motivate action.

🧠 7. Offer a “Final Call” Reminder in Early January

Send a clear message around 10–15 January to highlight:

• What you still need from them

• When your cut-off is to guarantee submission by 31 Jan

• That they’ll be moved to a post-deadline queue if they delay
  

This creates a firm (but fair) boundary and helps set expectations.

📝TwinTallies’s Thoughts

The January rush doesn't have to be chaotic. By educating, reminding, and enabling your clients early, you reduce last-minute pressure and improve turnaround times.

It’s a win-win: your clients avoid penalties, and your team avoids burnout.