self assessment tax - how much tax to pay?

[JP_]

I think I get this wrong every year. Usually I pay too much and get a rebate.

So, after everything input, tax site says I have:

Total amount due for 2019-20 A
Plus
First payment on account for 2020-21 B
Total to be added to Self Assessment account due by 31 January 2021 C (A+B)

I usually make the mistake of paying A.
But I made a payment on account last Jan, and just made the payment on account due 31st July.

So, do I deduct both these amounts, let's call them D, from C?

So the amount to pay is C - 2D

Does that sound right?

I really don't understand why they can't just say how much to pay! Or why they cannot at least show on this screen how much you paid on account already.

I only earn a bit on the side, so not worth paying for any accountant.

 

[durhamplumber]

I only earn a bit on the side, so not worth paying for any accountant.

Are you self employed,Vat registered?

 

[JP_]

No. On PAYE with work, this is just additional income, not a huge amount.

 

[johnny2007]

I never understood that myself.
Last year I even asked hmrc on twitter and they told me to pay a+b.
Then a few days later they gave me back b and said it wasn't due until july.
Who writes these things???
Why don't they just write:
Total tax to pay for 2019/2020= A
Total to pay by 31/01/2020 = B
Total to pay by 31/07/2020 = C = A- B

Wouldn't that be simpler?