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Millions of self employed Brits have just about sealed the envelope on their tax returns and many are probably now reviewing their finances as a result.

It's only natural – a tax return is a summary of all that you have earned and spent over the last 12 months. It documents your debts, your assets and your returns – so many might think this is a good time to do something to make those numbers a bit more positive.

Maybe writing down exactly how much you spend on your mortgage each month made you realise that it's quite a lot – you go from one month to the next without considering the regular outgoings, it's only when you write it down do you consider whether you are paying too much for your home loan.

And you may well be – many people don't think to check whether they could get a better mortgage. They sign the deal on their loan, which if sourced by a good adviser should be the best loan available at that particular time, but they don't think to check a few years down the line whether there is a self employed mortgage out there that's better.

Those who have been self employed for three years or more should be especially keen to review their mortgage – many mortgage lenders will allow those who have been self employed for that long to essentially become 'prime' borrowers, with the right amount of equity and income, because they have enough proof to be a 'normal' borrower.

So pop your tax return in the post and cal your mortgage adviser. You might find you could get a better loan, you might find that you could benefit from a new savings scheme or some improved insurance. Officially the new business year doesn't begin until April, but with a fresh financial outlook your new beginning could start now.

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