The tax return deadline is looming and it’s important to get your forms back before 31 January, but it’s also important to get it right and avoid making these common mistakes.

Below are the ten most common mistakes Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs has experienced on tax returns. Causing them to correct or reject forms.

The most common reasons for tax returns being corrected are:

1. Failure to complete a separate Supplementary Page for each individual employment.

2. Entering the NET figure of Employee Personal Pension Premiums instead of the Gross figure at box 14.11 of the core Tax Return (i.e. claiming insufficient relief where Higher Rates of tax are payable).

3. Entering the figure of Capital Expenditure in Box 3.14 of the Self Employment pages instead of the figure of Capital Allowances (i.e. claiming excessive relief).

4. Failure to complete question 19 of the core Tax Return where a Repayment is due. (We will assume you wish to leave the overpaid amount on your record, to be set against future liabilities - you have the right to choose.)

5. Entering your pay in box 1.8 but not entering any tax deducted in box 1.11 on the Employment pages.

The most common reasons for tax returns being rejected are:

1. A 'yes' tick has been entered in one of the questions 1 to 9 on page 2 of the Tax Return but the supplementary page has not been forwarded with the Tax Return.

2. Failure to complete the self-employed pages, particularly on page SE3 from box 3.74 onwards.

3. Detailing information on separate Schedules instead of including the information on the Self Assessment Tax Return.

4. Entering manuscript notes on the Self Assessment Tax Return i.e. "per accounts" and/or "information to follow" instead of entering actual figures on the form.

5. Failure to sign and date the Self Assessment Tax Return.

For further information and guidance on how to complete your tax return call the Helpline on 0845-9000 444 (open evenings and weekends).

For more on completing your tax return, click here.