HMRC is using DUCKS to remind people about the self-assessment tax return deadline
A NEW marketing campaign featuring ducks which "niggle" people to complete their self-assessment tax return has been launched by HM Revenue and Customers.
The online and billboard adverts feature a man being nagged by the farmyard animal.
HMRC says that it wants to remind customers to stop ignoring the "little niggle" about completing their tax returns ahead of the January 31 deadline.
The adverts feature real ducks which were employed by HMRC to post for photos, before being returned to a bird sanctuary in Oxfordshire.
Angela MacDonald, HMRC director general for customer services, said: "It's easy to put off doing your Self Assessment, but that tax 'niggle' means it's always on our customers' minds.
"With the January 31 deadline edging closer we want to help remind our customers to get it done so they can alleviate that feeling, ensuring they can relax and not have to worry about doing their tax return."
It aims to prompt people who need to complete and submit online self-assessment returns to do so before the deadline on January 31. The deadline for paper returns was in October.
If customers pay their taxes using their online personal tax account they can also get help with checking their state pension, updating tax credit circumstances, claiming tax refunds, and updating their marriage allowance.
More than 10,000 tax returns were submitted online to the taxman in total over Christmas Day and Boxing Day, according to HMRC.
On Christmas Day, 2,590 self-assessment returns were submitted - with a further 7,655 submitted on Boxing Day.
The number of tax returns being submitted this year was slightly down year-on-year for Christmas Eve, but up year-on-year for Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Those who do need to do their Self Assessments can easily fill out their returns online before January 31 but the deadline for paper returns passed in October.
More information about submitting tax returns can be found at gov.uk/selfassessment.
Earlier this year HMRC announced plans to overhaul the current tax system, including scrapping the annual tax return and replacing it with a digital document.
The new system means taxpayers can choose to pay on a quarter basis, rather than once a year.
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It means that most businesses, landlords and the self-employed will record and pay all their taxes online.
But the new plans are not expected to be in place until 2020.
Self-employed workers will no longer be able to pay tax bills with a personal credit card from January 13.
Under current rules, taxpayers can pay with a personal credit cards using their HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) online account or, if you receive paper statements, with a paying-in slip.
The new system means self-employed workers will only be able to pay via business credit card, debit card or bank transfer.
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