Understand your tax calculation before sending it to a mortgage adviser.
An SA302 summarises income and the tax calculation arising from a Self Assessment return. It can help evidence earnings for a mortgage, but it does not show a guaranteed borrowing amount or prove that every tax bill has been paid.
View the explained exampleSee the income evidence checklistSA302 example: how to read the income section
The illustration below shows the kinds of income entries you might need to identify. HMRC and commercial software layouts vary, and your calculation may contain different sections.
| Entry | Example | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Profit from self-employment | £38,000 | Identify the taxable profit reported from the trade. Do not substitute total sales or bank credits. |
| Income from employment | £12,000 | Identify the separate employment source and whether that work continues. |
| UK bank interest | £200 | Keep this separate from trading income. Its appearance does not mean a lender will accept it for affordability. |
| Total of these income entries | £50,200 | The entries add up, but this is not a mortgage income decision or the amount left after tax. |
In this example, the applicant has employment alongside a sole-trader business. An adviser would need to understand both sources. The £50,200 total does not establish that all of it will be used by a particular lender.
Further parts of an actual calculation deal with applicable allowances, reliefs, tax and National Insurance. The result depends on the tax year and individual circumstances, including the relevant UK tax rules. Ask your accountant to explain those figures; this example deliberately does not calculate a tax bill.
Look at the dates first. Check the tax year printed on the document before comparing figures. A company’s accounting year end can differ from the period on a director’s personal tax calculation.
SA302, tax year overview and tax return: what is the difference?
Tax calculation
Shows how the information reported through Self Assessment produces the tax calculation. “SA302” is commonly used when discussing this evidence; a software-produced version may have another name.
It does not provide a full set of business accounts or confirm how much mortgage borrowing is affordable.
Tax year overview
A separate HMRC record of the tax position for a specified year. A lender may request this alongside the calculation.
Check the same taxpayer and tax year appear on the requested pair. Do not send an overview alone if both documents have been requested.
Your Self Assessment tax return is the information submitted to HMRC. It is different from the calculation produced from that information. Sending a return or its submission receipt may not satisfy a request for a tax calculation.
For the wider set of records used in an application, including accounts and bank statements, use our self-employed proof-of-earnings guide.
How to get your SA302 and tax year overview
Start with how you filed the return:
- Filed through HMRC: sign in to your HMRC online account and open Self Assessment, then the details of your returns and payments.
- Filed using commercial software: get the calculation from that software or your accountant. The tax year overview is still available through HMRC.
- Check availability: HMRC says documents cannot be printed until 72 hours after submitting a return. Do not rely on immediate access after filing.
Use HMRC’s current instructions for obtaining your calculation and overview, including help if you cannot access them. Confirm the lender accepts the format supplied.
Retrieval guidance checked on 7 September 2026. Online menus and processing arrangements can change.
What to check before sending the documents
- Correct person and period: keep each applicant’s records separate and supply the requested tax years.
- Complete version: include every requested page, with figures and headings readable.
- Recent changes: tell your adviser if the return has been amended or if current earnings differ materially from the period shown.
- Supporting evidence: confirm whether accounts, statements or an accountant’s reference are also needed.
- Secure sharing: ask how documents should be supplied. Do not put your UTR, National Insurance number or account details into a general enquiry message.
If something looks wrong, check it with your accountant or HMRC. Do not change figures in a downloaded file or use a sample to fill a gap in your records.
For company directors, a personal calculation may show salary and dividends without explaining the company’s full financial position. Our director mortgage page explains why additional company evidence can matter.
How does an SA302 help with a mortgage application?
It helps an adviser and lender identify reported income sources and the period they cover. It is one part of the assessment: it cannot show by itself whether earnings will continue or whether the proposed repayments are affordable.
Different lenders use different evidence routes. Do not assume everyone needs the same number of tax calculations, or that a missing SA302 means income verification can be skipped. If you have a short trading history, read our one year’s accounts mortgage guide.
Have your documents, but need help with the mortgage?
Tell Count Ready how you work, how long you have traded and whether you are buying or remortgaging. We can discuss the evidence available and what needs checking for your circumstances.
Request a mortgage advice callFor document retrieval or tax corrections, contact HMRC or your accountant. For mortgage advice, call 01245 934515.
Explore our self-employed mortgage advice service. Fees are agreed before chargeable work begins; see our Terms of Business. Advice does not guarantee mortgage acceptance.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
This guide provides general information, not personal tax or mortgage advice.
SA302 questions answered
Is an SA302 proof that I have paid my tax?
No. It is a tax calculation based on the information in your Self Assessment return. The amount calculated is not, by itself, evidence that the bill has been paid. Check your HMRC account or ask your accountant about payments and any balance outstanding.
Can I fill in a blank SA302 template for a mortgage?
No. An example or blank template is not evidence of your actual earnings. Obtain the calculation associated with your submitted return through HMRC or the software used to file it, and confirm the lender’s requirements.
Why does my accountant call it a tax computation?
Commercial tax software can use different document names. Tell your adviser how the return was filed and supply the complete calculation in the format requested. A differently named document still needs to meet the lender’s evidence requirements.
Does the total income figure tell me how much I can borrow?
No. A lender considers which income sources it accepts, their sustainability and the rest of your finances. Commitments, expenditure, credit history and the proposed mortgage also matter. Do not multiply the total on the calculation to treat the result as an offer.
What if my tax calculation and tax year overview do not match?
Check the taxpayer, tax year and whether a return was recently filed or amended. Ask your accountant or HMRC to explain any remaining difference. Keep both records intact and tell your adviser rather than changing a document yourself.
Do I need a new SA302 for every mortgage enquiry?
Ask which tax years and versions are needed for the proposed application. A new enquiry does not itself create a new tax calculation. If your return has changed or newer evidence is available, tell your adviser so the correct records can be used.