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| Tax return 2015: 400,000 people unnecessarily fill out self-assessment forms each year | Tax return 2015: 400,000 people unnecessarily fill out self-assessment forms each year |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Thousands of people are told they are unnecessarily filling out self-assessment tax returns, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has said, as the midnight deadline for filling out online forms looms. | |
| HMRC says it takes an estimated 400,000 people out of self-assessment each year. It says this is down to the fluid nature of Britain's workforce, which means that people move in and out of having to make a self-assessment return all the time. | |
| Giving up self-employment or selling a property portfolio may also be behind some of the reasons someone may move out of the self-assessment category which rules out the need for a return to be filed. | Giving up self-employment or selling a property portfolio may also be behind some of the reasons someone may move out of the self-assessment category which rules out the need for a return to be filed. |
| An HMRC spokesman said: "We automatically review the self-assessment system to ensure only those who genuinely need to complete a tax return have to do so. | An HMRC spokesman said: "We automatically review the self-assessment system to ensure only those who genuinely need to complete a tax return have to do so. |
| "Anyone who thinks their circumstances have changed so that they don't need to complete a return should let us know." | |
| Time is running out for anyone who hasn't already submitted their tax return and paid any tax due, both of which need to be done by midnight tonight. | |
| (HMRC), which estimates that about 10 million self-assessment tax returns will be lodged by the end of the day, has so far received more than 9.85 million returns. | (HMRC), which estimates that about 10 million self-assessment tax returns will be lodged by the end of the day, has so far received more than 9.85 million returns. |
| It says some of the "terrible tax excuses" seen in the past for people missing the deadline include: "My pet dog ate my tax return - and all the reminders," as well as: "I was up a mountain in Wales, and couldn't find a postbox or get an internet signal," and: "I've been busy looking after a flock of escaped parrots and some fox cubs." | |
| If someone cannot pay because of an unforeseen, serious event outside of their control, they should get in touch with HMRC as soon as possible. | If someone cannot pay because of an unforeseen, serious event outside of their control, they should get in touch with HMRC as soon as possible. |
| If you’re registered for self-assessment you need to file your 2013-14 tax return, and pay what you owe, by midnight on 31 January. For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns | If you’re registered for self-assessment you need to file your 2013-14 tax return, and pay what you owe, by midnight on 31 January. For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns |
| Additional reporting by PA | Additional reporting by PA |