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| Almost 750,000 people missed tax return deadline, says HMRC | Almost 750,000 people missed tax return deadline, says HMRC |
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| Almost 750,000 people missed the midnight 31 January deadline for filing their tax return and now run the risk of a £100 fine. | Almost 750,000 people missed the midnight 31 January deadline for filing their tax return and now run the risk of a £100 fine. |
| HM Revenue & Customs said almost 10.7 million taxpayers had submitted their self-assessment return before the deadline, with just over 30,000 people filing online in the final hour, between 11pm and 11.59pm. | HM Revenue & Customs said almost 10.7 million taxpayers had submitted their self-assessment return before the deadline, with just over 30,000 people filing online in the final hour, between 11pm and 11.59pm. |
| Of the 11.4m returns due, around 745,500 were still outstanding, HMRC said at lunchtime on Thursday. These people are now at risk of paying a penalty, though the number of taxpayers who failed to meet the deadline is down on last year, when it was 840,000. | Of the 11.4m returns due, around 745,500 were still outstanding, HMRC said at lunchtime on Thursday. These people are now at risk of paying a penalty, though the number of taxpayers who failed to meet the deadline is down on last year, when it was 840,000. |
| HMRC said the 10,687,761 returns received by midnight on 31 January represented 93.5% of the total. Around 758,000 people completed their return on the final day. | HMRC said the 10,687,761 returns received by midnight on 31 January represented 93.5% of the total. Around 758,000 people completed their return on the final day. |
| Angela MacDonald, the department’s director general for customer services, said: “If you’re one of the small number that missed the deadline, please submit your return now to avoid further penalties. We really don’t want penalties, we just want tax returns.” | Angela MacDonald, the department’s director general for customer services, said: “If you’re one of the small number that missed the deadline, please submit your return now to avoid further penalties. We really don’t want penalties, we just want tax returns.” |
| An HMRC spokesman said that not all of those who failed to file on time would pay a penalty. Those who have a reasonable excuse – for example, they were unable to submit their form because they had to attend hospital – may be able to avoid a fine, provided they get their return in as soon as they are able to. | An HMRC spokesman said that not all of those who failed to file on time would pay a penalty. Those who have a reasonable excuse – for example, they were unable to submit their form because they had to attend hospital – may be able to avoid a fine, provided they get their return in as soon as they are able to. |
| The penalty for late tax returns is £100, which applies even if there is no tax to pay or if the tax due is paid on time. After three months, additional daily penalties of £10 a day kick in, up to a maximum of £900. After six and then 12 months, there are further penalties of 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater. | The penalty for late tax returns is £100, which applies even if there is no tax to pay or if the tax due is paid on time. After three months, additional daily penalties of £10 a day kick in, up to a maximum of £900. After six and then 12 months, there are further penalties of 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater. |
| In November it emerged that the £100 immediate fine was to be replaced by a driving-licence-style points system. The change forms part of a series of Treasury reforms which aim to concentrate on serious tax avoidance and not punish taxpayers who make simple errors. | In November it emerged that the £100 immediate fine was to be replaced by a driving-licence-style points system. The change forms part of a series of Treasury reforms which aim to concentrate on serious tax avoidance and not punish taxpayers who make simple errors. |