Phillip McCaskill

It's confusing enough that payment is required in advance based on the previous year's tax owed. As well as paying in advance of filing, HMRC charge interest for payments on account (for taxes that haven't been submitted) if they are not paid in advance. Every single year I struggle to work out what I actually owe because the website doesn't include payments on account. I have a simple question. Why isn't the amount due shown after the self assessment is submitted? HMRC have a record on my account of what I've paid to date. It would save so much time and confusion. It could simply show: 1] The total amount of tax owed for the current filing tax year; 2] Total payments made "on account" to be deducted from the what is owed for the current filing tax year. and 3] The amount owed for the 1st payment on account for the following tax year. Those three figures should show what is currently owed to pay before 31 Jan. WHY is it made to be so complicated?