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Chronicle Live
National
David Bentley & Sonia Sharma

Warning as millions face fine for late tax returns if you miss HMRC deadline tomorrow

The deadline for sending in tax returns to HMRC is tomorrow - and anyone who submits their forms late could receive a fine.

Self-employed workers must file their tax return by 11.59pm on January 31, 2023, or incur penalties that start at £100. While there is no way to extend the deadline, HMRC will waive the penalty fee if a person has a "reasonable excuse" for submitting the documents late.

Tax specialist Adam Park told Birmingham Live: "The key dates for income tax don't change year-on-year, which makes them easy to plan for and manage. The most critical deadline, January 31, marks the end of the self-assessment and payment period for income tax.

Read More: All the Child Benefit changes you must report to HMRC or risk missing out on payments

"This date poses a significant financial burden for the self-employed and those receiving dividends from their employment. With the added stress on household expenses, managing tax bills may prove to be a challenge in the current climate."

The 8 excuses HMRC will accept for missing the tax deadline

According to Adam, who is a tax specialist at Zest R&D, you might be able to fight a fine for missing the HMRC deadline with one of these excuses:

  • Your partner or another close relative died shortly before the tax return or payment deadline.

  • You had an unexpected stay in hospital that prevented you from dealing with your tax affairs.

  • You had a serious or life-threatening illness.

  • Your computer or software failed just before or while you were preparing your online return.

  • If there's a problem with the HMRC website that means you can't complete your online form.

  • There were problems with the postal service that were beyond your control.

  • A fire, flood or theft meant that you couldn't complete your tax return.

  • If you have a disability that caused you to not be able to meet the deadline.

How do you appeal against a penalty?

Tomorrow's deadline relates to the 2021/22 tax year, which ended on April 5, 2022. With only a day to go, HMRC estimated around 3.4million people had still not filed their returns. A total of 8.7million can rest easy, having completed theirs.

If the HMRC sends you a penalty letter, an appeal form will come in the post too. The appeal should be sent to the HMRC's address for Self Assessment enquiries, which is: Self Assessment, HM Revenue and Customs, BX9 1AS, United Kingdom.

If you receive your penalty notice via email you can fill in an SA370 form to appeal.

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