// NEWS //
Over half of brits plan to use ChatGPT for completing their tax returns
With millions of Brits required to complete self-assessment returns and average accountant fees ranging from £ 300 – £ 500 for basic returns, the appeal of AI assistance is clear.
HMRC’ s automatic £ 100 penalty fine for late filing adds further pressure to the annual rush, driving many to seek faster, cheaper alternatives to professional help.
The research reveals that self-assessment taxpayers are turning to AI tools for faster( 39 %), more convenient( 36 %) and cheaper( 33 %) alternatives to bringing in an accountant for the return season.
However, according to accountants in the UK, it’ s important to remember that not all AI tools are trained to understand the nuances of British tax law and cases involving complex deductions and reliefs.
Trust in AI is on the rise, as more than half( 59 %) of Brits admit that they’ ll use AI to help with their tax return in the run-up to HMRC’ s January 31 deadline. This marks the start of the UK’ s first ever AI-led tax return season, according to new research from Taxfix, one of Europe’ s leading financial platforms for tax filing.
Whilst accountants agree AI helps self-assessors with their understanding of the tax return process( 35 %), they also warn that AI can lead to costly mistakes and urge selfassessors to be careful when it comes to using AI due to incomplete advice( 73 %), inability to handle nuance( 62 %) and a lack of UK-specific knowledge( 52 %) – such as not claiming back eligible tax, for even basic tax calculations.
Second jobs surge: Side hustles become survival strategy for UK workers
One in five UK workers surveyed( 21 %) now hold more than one job, with younger workers particularly impacted as 42 % of Gen Z workers surveyed say they are juggling multiple roles. That’ s according to Employment Hero, with findings from its inaugural global Annual Jobs Report showing people are increasingly turning to second jobs as a financial survival strategy in the face of ongoing cost of living pressures and a slowing labour market.
The new report reveals the latest trends in the UK employment sector. The UK 2025 data is drawn from aggregated insights from more than 350,000 small businesses and 2 million employees in Australia, New Zealand and the UK, alongside a YouGov survey of 3,635 workers.
This multiple job trend is true even among those already in full time employment; 17 % are holding down additional jobs. Meanwhile, almost a third( 29 %) of all workers surveyed say they have taken on extra hours simply to cope with rising costs.
Once seen as a way to explore passions or build skills, side hustles have become an essential financial buffer for millions. This trend reflects a workforce under strain, adapting to rising costs, falling confidence and fewer opportunities in the job market.
Kevin Fitzgerald, UK Managing Director at Employment Hero, said:“ Our data shows how the side hustle has transformed from a choice into a necessity. One in five UK workers now hold multiple jobs, and almost a third are working longer hours just to keep up with rising everyday costs.”
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