With less than a month before the deadline for sending self-assessment tax returns to HMRC, almost have of the 12m who’re expected to do so still haven’t got round to it.
More than 12 million customers are expected to file a tax return for the 2021 to 2022 tax year by 31 January 2023. HMRC says 129 customers submitted theirs on 1 January in the first hour of the new year, joining those customers who have already met their obligations.
More than 42,500 customers chose to see in the new year by submitting their return on 31 December and 1 January:
- New Year’s Eve: 25,043 tax returns were filed. The peak time for filing was between 14:00 and 14:59, when 2,713 returns were received.
- New Year’s Day: 17,571 tax returns were filed. The peak time for filing was between 15:00 and 15:59, when 1,697 returns were received.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “There is less than one month for customers to submit their tax returns and my message to those yet to start is: don’t delay, do it online. HMRC provides lots of useful information to help you get started. Visit GOV.UK and search ‘Self Assessment’.”
She added that HMRC was warning customers that the deadline to submit a paper return has passed, so tax returns could now be submitted online only. Anyone filing after 31 January may face a penalty.
She said: “HMRC will treat those with genuine excuses leniently, as we focus on those who persistently fail to complete their tax returns and deliberate tax evaders. Customers who provide HMRC with a reasonable excuse before the 31 January deadline can avoid a penalty after this date.”
