January is the month when many business owners receive a letter from HMRC and immediately think:

“What have I done wrong?” 😟

In reality, most HMRC letters sent in January are routine, automated, or purely informational. They may not require urgent action — and they certainly don’t always mean there’s a problem.

In this blog, we explain the most common HMRC letters people receive in January, what they usually mean, and which ones you don’t need to panic about.

January is a busy time for HMRC because it’s when:

• Self Assessment returns are being submitted

• Tax payments become due

• Systems automatically issue reminders and confirmations

As a result, many letters are generated automatically, not because HMRC has identified an issue.

Unfortunately, HMRC letters aren’t always written in the clearest or calmest language — which is why they often cause unnecessary worry 😬.

These are very common in January.

They’re usually sent to:

• Remind you to submit your tax return

• Confirm a deadline is approaching

Even if:

• Your return is already being dealt with, or

• You’ve recently submitted it

…the reminder may still be issued automatically.

💡 These letters are not an accusation — just a prompt.

You may receive a letter confirming:

• How your tax bill has been calculated

• What amount is due

• When payment is required

This often arrives after a return has been submitted.

While the figure can be unsettling, the letter itself is usually just confirmation — not a demand due to a problem.

If tax is due by 31 January, HMRC may issue reminders encouraging payment before the deadline.

These are routine and don’t automatically mean:

• You’re late

• You’ve missed something

• Penalties have already been applied

They’re simply part of HMRC’s standard process.

Some “letters” are now:

• Messages in your HMRC online account

• Emails prompting you to log in

These often relate to:

• Account updates

• Payment confirmations

• System-generated notices

Again, these are usually informational rather than urgent 🚦.

While many HMRC letters are routine, some should never be ignored.

These include letters relating to:

• Late filing penalties

• Late payment interest or surcharges

• Compliance checks or enquiries

• Requests for additional information

If a letter:

• Mentions penalties, interest, or investigations

• Requests a response by a specific date

• Refers to a previous unanswered letter

…it’s important to deal with it promptly 📞.

HMRC letters can feel intimidating because:

• They’re formal

• They use technical language

• They rarely explain why the letter was issued

But most January letters are:

• Automated

• Standardised

• Sent to thousands of taxpayers at the same time

They’re not personal, and they’re not designed to suggest wrongdoing — even if they feel that way.

When you receive an HMRC letter, try to avoid:

• Ignoring it completely 🚫

• Assuming the worst immediately

• Making rushed decisions based on fear

• Responding without understanding what it relates to

A calm review of what the letter actually says is almost always the best first step.

A practical approach is to:

1️⃣ Read the letter carefully
2️⃣ Check what it’s referring to
3️⃣ See whether it requires action — or is simply informational
4️⃣ Ask for advice if you’re unsure

Many letters don’t need a response at all — but it’s always better to check rather than guess.

Receiving a letter from HMRC in January is common — and in most cases, it’s nothing to panic about.

Understanding which letters are routine, and which genuinely need attention, can remove a lot of unnecessary stress during an already busy month.

At Llewellyns, we aim to keep things clear, practical, and calm, especially when it comes to HMRC correspondence.

If you’re unsure about a letter you’ve received, it’s always better to clarify it early rather than worry about it in silence.