Written by Hammad Rasool MAAT·AAT licensed accountant·Updated November 2026

What an SA302 shows

The SA302 is your tax calculation for one tax year. It lists your income by type, your allowances, and the Income Tax and National Insurance due. If you are self employed, a landlord or a company director paid in dividends, it does the job that payslips do for an employee: it is evidence of your earnings.

Mortgage lenders, letting agents and some loan providers ask for it. Most want between 1 and 3 years, depending on the lender.

How to get your SA302

  • From your HMRC online account: you can view and print your tax calculation for the last 4 years once the return has been processed.
  • From commercial software: if you or your accountant filed the return using commercial software, the calculation is produced by that software instead.

You cannot print the calculation until 72 hours after the return was submitted, so do not leave filing until the day your mortgage adviser needs the papers.

The tax year overview

Most lenders ask for a tax year overview as well. The SA302 shows what the return says you owe. The tax year overview comes from HMRC records and shows what was charged and what has been paid. The lender compares the 2 documents to confirm that the SA302 matches the return HMRC actually holds.

Key point: lenders look at the profit on your SA302, not your turnover. Claiming every possible expense lowers your tax, and it also lowers the income a lender will count. Plan the 2 together if you intend to borrow in the next year or two.
Example

Imran is a self employed electrician applying for a mortgage in February. His lender wants SA302s and tax year overviews for the last 2 years. His latest return is not yet filed. We file it in early December, wait the 72 hours, download both documents for each year and send them to his broker as one pack.

Common problems

  • The figures do not match: the overview and the SA302 disagree, usually because the return was amended after the SA302 was printed. Print a fresh copy.
  • The latest year is missing: the return for the latest year has not been filed yet. Lenders usually want the most recent year available.
  • Accountant printed copies: some lenders only accept documents printed from HMRC rather than software. HMRC publishes a list of lenders that accept either, so ask your broker before you send anything.

Common questions

Is an SA302 the same as a tax return?
No. The tax return is the full form you submit. The SA302 is the short calculation HMRC or your software produces from it.
How many years of SA302s can I get?
You can print the last 4 years from your HMRC online account.
How soon after filing can I get my SA302?
You cannot print it until 72 hours after the return has been submitted.
Can I get an SA302 if I am employed?
Only if you file a Self Assessment return. If you are purely on PAYE, lenders use payslips and your P60 instead.

Checked against GOV.UK on 10 November 2026: Get your SA302 tax calculation.

About the author

Hammad Rasool MAAT is an AAT licensed accountant based in Bolton. TaxTune Accountants looks after sole traders, landlords, contractors and limited companies in Bolton, Wigan, Bury, Salford, Oldham, Stockport and Manchester, and online across the UK.