HM Revenue
& Customs (HMRC) is urging anyone who has still not done
their 2010/11 tax return to send it online before the end of
April, or be charged daily penalties from 1 May.
Anyone whose Self Assessment return is more than three months
late will now be charged a further £10 penalty for each day it
remains outstanding, up to a maximum of 90 days. This is on top of
the £100 late-filing penalty they have already received.
This means people who file their 2010/11 return online on or
after 1 May will be liable to daily penalties, as the deadline for
these was 31 January. Daily penalties for paper returns began on 1
February, as paper returns were due by the earlier deadline of 31 October.
Looking ahead, further penalties of at least £300 (or 5 per cent
of the tax due, if that is more) will be issued for returns that
are 6 and 12 months late.
Anyone who’s received a late-filing penalty, hasn’t yet sent a
return, but thinks they don’t need to be in Self Assessment,
should call HMRC on 0845 900 0444. If HMRC agrees, the return and
any penalty will be cancelled. Visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/latetaxreturn
for further information.
HMRC’s Stephen Banyard said:
“We want the returns and not penalties. So, if you haven’t sent
us your 2010/11 return, you need to do one of two things urgently
– either send it online by 30 April, or call us if you think you
shouldn’t have to complete one.”
Notes for editors
1. The new penalties for late Self Assessment returns are:
an initial £100 fixed penalty, which will now apply even if
there is no tax to pay, or if the tax due is paid on time;after 3
months, additional daily penalties of £10 per day, up to a maximum
of £900;after 6 months, a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or
£300, whichever is greater; andafter 12 months, another 5% or £300
charge, whichever is greater.
2. There are also additional new penalties for paying late of 5%
of the tax unpaid at: 30 days; 6 months; and 12 months.
3. Further information on the new penalties is available from the
HMRC website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/sa/deadlines-penalties.htm
4. Follow HMRC on Twitter at: @HMRCgovuk
NAT38/12
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Patrick O'Brien
Phone: 020 7147 2318
patrick.o'brien@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
Andrew Bennett
Phone: 020 7147 0051
andrew.bennett3@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
HMRC Out of Hours
Phone: 07860 359544
NDS.HMRC@coi.gsi.gov.uk