Thursday 2 January 2014

Countdown to the UK Tax Return filing deadline


As the clock ticks down to 31 January, HMRC have released a list of “excuses” from taxpayers relating to the failure to file their tax returns by the due date – here are the Top 10 as chosen by HMRC:

  1. My pet goldfish died (self-employed builder);
  2. I had a run-in with a cow (Midlands farmer);
  3. After seeing a volcanic eruption on the news, I couldn’t concentrate on anything else (London woman);
  4. My wife won’t give me my mail (self-employed trader);
  5. My husband told me the deadline was 31 March, and I believed him (Leicester hairdresser);
  6. I’ve been far too busy touring the country with my one-man play (Coventry writer);
  7. My bad back means I can’t go upstairs. That’s where my tax return is (a working taxi driver);
  8. I’ve been cruising round the world in my yacht, and only picking up post when I’m on dry land (South East man);
  9. Our business doesn’t really do anything (Kent financial services firm); and
  10. I’ve been too busy submitting my clients’ tax returns (London accountant).

Not surprisingly, every one of these taxpayers were unsuccessful when appealing against the £100 late filing penalty.

Remember the penalty is imposed even if no tax is payable to HMRC or even if you are due a tax refund!

Do not rely on using HMRC’s software if you are required to file the Residence pages with your tax return as this page option is not available on the HMRC software.  Please contact us on: info@petersonsims.com if you need help.