Spring Cleaning

Spring is my favourite time of year, I love how little by little the days grow longer, and the dark mornings and evenings get lighter and the feeling of excitement that first morning when you leave for work and it’s not dark and it’s still light when you leave the office -there’s no feeling like it.

I always feel that there’s something really positive about spring arriving  -the air smells better, gardens come to life and you know that summer ( the little that we get of it in Scotland 😊) is just round the corner…

This will sound weird, but I also really like the word spring….

Perhaps due to its association with all the lovely qualities of the season, the word "spring" is often used in a positive and uplifting way.

Spring into action

Hope springs eternal

Put a spring in your step

Spring fresh

Although as a woman of a certain age I’m very aware I’m no ‘spring chicken’

Anyway, another thing I love about spring is spring-cleaning.

There’s something about the cold spring sun streaming through the windows that always makes me want to re-decorate and have a big clear out.

Donald hates this time of year because it generally means many trips to B&Q hanging about it the paint aisle whilst I painstakingly decide between 3 indistinguishable shades of the same colour.

But it’s a lovely feeling when everything is all freshly painted and ready for summer.

It may surprise you that I also have a spring-cleaning regime in work.

By pure coincidence the timing is perfect – April 05th is the end of the tax year, which means that for payroll, March is the end of the payroll year, with a brand-new year starting in April.

There’s something really gratifying about closing off the tax year and issuing P60s, as it marks the completion of a year's worth of meticulous payroll processing. The process brings a sense of closure and satisfaction, knowing that all the calculations, deductions, and filings have been properly handled. It’s a moment that signifies both a job well done and the smooth transition into the new year.

There’s also something really satisfying about getting all of our systems ready for the new tax year- new trackers, opening the new payroll year and starting everything afresh.

It’s also an opportunity to put in place learnings from the previous year and make improvements -I’m a big believer in always trying to do things better and not just do things the same way “just because”. The new year is a good chance to reflect on what went well the year before and what could be tweaked or improved on.

As the new tax year rolls in, it’s not just accountants and payroll teams who should be doing a little spring cleaning—it’s a great time for everyone to pause, take stock, and get organized.

For those who are employed, this means giving your P60 a quick once-over. Does it have your correct address? Even small errors can cause headaches down the line.

If you’re receiving in-work benefits, you might need to send a copy of your P60 to the DWP, so be sure to file it somewhere safe.

And if you’re required to submit a personal tax return, either on your own or through an accountant, those figures from your P60 will be essential.

Do you receive any benefits in kind from your employer? If so, keep an eye out for your P11D—it’s another key document you’ll need for your tax return.

Just before the new tax year, HMRC sends out tax coding notices. When yours arrives in the post, don’t just toss it in a drawer—take a moment to check that everything looks right. If something seems off, it’s worth giving HMRC a call to clarify.

For the self-employed, this is the perfect time to start organizing records for your personal tax return. While the deadline may be months away in January, returns can be submitted as early as April 6th. The sooner you file, the sooner you’ll know what you owe—no last-minute scrambles, no surprises.

So, as the tax year resets, take a moment to get ahead. A little preparation now can save a lot of stress later!