#self-assessment

#self-assessment

Filing your Self-Assessment tax return each year is usually considered one of the less enjoyable tasks, particularly for those who are self-employed or need to report additional income. However, it is not only important to file on time to avoid penalties - it is equally essential to ensure accuracy. Many people do not realise that HMRC can issue fines for careless mistakes, alongside interest on unpaid tax, even if errors are accidental. Leaving your return to the last minute also slightly increases the risk of errors and delays.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly praised for making us sharper, faster, and more productive. From drafting text to solving complex reasoning problems, tools like ChatGPT promise cognitive augmentation at scale. Yet a growing body of psychological research suggests that something subtler, and potentially more consequential, is happening alongside these gains. AI may be improving what we do while quietly distorting how well we understand our own competence.

"Look, I did all I could. If I failed, that's just how it goes." We often whisper this to soften the sting of defeat. Yet if we want the unvarnished truth about our effort, we need to probe deeper. These four questions help reveal whether we were merely busy or genuinely all-in. Are your goals crystal-clear? If you cannot describe exactly what you want, you cannot judge how hard you tried.

Older people use ChatGPT like Google. People in their 20s and 30s use it as a life advisor. College students use it like an operating system.