How to get your SA302 & Tax Year Overview
A plain-English, step-by-step guide for self-employed applicants and company directors on obtaining the HMRC tax documents most lenders ask for — either from your own HMRC online account or through your accountant.
What SA302 and Tax Year Overview actually are
Lenders use these to confirm how much you earned and that your tax was settled. They come from HMRC — not from your accounts software or a typed summary.
SA302 — Tax Calculation
A summary of your Self Assessment tax calculation for a given tax year. It shows your total income, the allowances applied, and the tax due. HMRC now refers to this as your "Tax Calculation" rather than "SA302", but lenders still use the SA302 name.
Tax Year Overview
A separate document showing the amounts owed and paid for a tax year, including any balancing payments and payments on account. Lenders usually ask for this alongside the SA302 because it confirms the tax was actually settled.
You need both documents. A SA302 on its own shows the calculation; the Tax Year Overview shows the tax was actually paid. Lenders almost always want the pair for each tax year they request.
From your own HMRC online account
If you file your own Self Assessment, you can download both documents in a few minutes. This is the most direct route and works for sole traders, partners and company directors who file personally.
- 1
Sign in to your Personal Tax Account
Go to gov.uk and sign in to your HMRC online account using your Government Gateway user ID and password. If you don't have one, you can create a Government Gateway account — you'll need your National Insurance number and a recent payslip or P60 to verify your identity.
- 2
Open Self Assessment
Once signed in, select "Self Assessment" from your account summary. You'll see a tile or link called "Get your SA302 tax calculation".
- 3
Choose the tax year
Select the tax year you need. Lenders usually ask for the latest two or three completed tax years. A printable SA302 appears for that year.
- 4
Save or print the document
Use your browser's "Print" option and choose "Save as PDF" to create a clean digital copy. Do not photograph the screen or edit the file — lenders require the document to look exactly as HMRC issued it.
- 5
Download the Tax Year Overview too
Return to the Self Assessment summary and select "View account" or "Tax year overviews". Choose the same tax year and save that document as a PDF. You need both the SA302 and the Tax Year Overview for each year the lender requests.
Through your accountant
If your accountant submits your tax return via HMRC’s agent (multi-client) gateway, they can download your SA302 and Tax Year Overview directly from HMRC for you.
- 1
Ask your accountant to log into their agent account
If your accountant submits your Self Assessment through HMRC's agent services (the multi-client gateway), they can download your SA302 and Tax Year Overview directly from HMRC for each client they represent.
- 2
They download from HMRC — not create their own
It is important that the documents are generated by HMRC, not retyped or reproduced by the accountant. Lenders will only accept SA302s and Tax Year Overviews that originate from HMRC systems.
- 3
They send you both documents per year
Ask your accountant to provide the SA302 and the matching Tax Year Overview for each tax year the lender requires — printed to PDF straight from HMRC, with the HMRC branding and layout intact.
- 4
Keep the originals untouched
Forward the documents to us exactly as your accountant provides them. If a lender points out a figure looks inconsistent with your accounts, we'll discuss it with you before anything is submitted.
HMRC-issued only. A typed summary or spreadsheet from your accountant will not be accepted. The document must show HMRC’s own formatting — even when your accountant downloads it.
Getting it right first time
Match the years to your accounts
Most lenders want the SA302 and Tax Year Overview for the same years as the accounts you're relying on. We'll confirm exactly which years before you download anything.
Download, don't photograph
A clean PDF saved directly from HMRC is always preferred over a photo or scan — it's easier to read and harder for a lender to query.
Company directors may need more
If you trade through a limited company, lenders will usually also want company accounts and evidence of salary and dividends. SA302s cover your personal Self Assessment; they don't replace company accounts.
Two years is normal but not universal
Many lenders ask for two years' SA302s and Tax Year Overviews, but some will accept one year, and a few specialist lenders don't ask for them at all. Don't assume you're declined because you only have one year.
Your document checklist
HMRC document FAQs
What if I can't see my SA302 in my HMRC account?+
This usually means you haven't submitted a Self Assessment return for that year, or the return hasn't been processed yet. If you've just filed, allow a few days for it to appear. If you genuinely didn't file for that year, the document won't exist — tell us and we'll discuss which lenders can work with the years you do have.
Will my accountant's version be accepted?+
Yes — provided it was downloaded from HMRC's agent services and not recreated or retyped. The document must carry HMRC's formatting. If in doubt, ask your accountant to confirm it came directly from HMRC.
How many years do I need?+
Most lenders request the latest two completed tax years, and some ask for three. A growing number of specialist lenders will accept just one year, and contractor-focused lenders may not require SA302s at all. We confirm the exact requirement for your chosen lender.
I'm a company director — do I still need SA302s?+
Usually yes. Even if most of your income comes through salary and dividends, lenders typically want your personal Self Assessment evidence alongside company accounts. Some lenders assess directors using salary plus a share of company profit rather than salary and dividends alone, which can change what's needed — we'll guide you.
Can I send screenshots instead of the PDF?+
It's strongly preferable to save the proper PDF from HMRC. Screenshots can be queried by underwriters because they don't show the full document. A clean PDF avoids that risk entirely.
Not sure which documents your lender needs?
Tell us how you’re structured and we’ll confirm exactly which HMRC documents to gather — so you only download what’s actually required.
The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute financial advice tailored to your circumstances. HMRC service names and processes can change — always check the current guidance on gov.uk. Personalised mortgage recommendations are provided by qualified, FCA-regulated advisers once your circumstances have been fully assessed. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Mortgage321 is a trading style of Matthew Christopher Pigrome, an appointed representative of Ingard Financial Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority No. 450731.