The excuses that HMRC will accept if you file your tax return late
THERE are only a few days left until self employed Brits have to file their tax returns to HMRC.
But as the deadline approaches, you might be panicking because you don't think your accounts will be ready in time.
More than three MILLION Brits still haven't completed their tax return a week before the deadline, HMRC warned.
And if this is you, then you could be faced with a £100 fine for handing over your accounts late.
Every year HMRC release a list of the hilarious excuses that some people have used for missing the deadline - like "my tax return was on my yacht, which caught fire".
But sometimes your circumstances can change last minute and leave you struggling.
What counts as a reasonable excuse?
YOU may be able to fight a fine for miss 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 which means you can't complete your online form.
- A fire, flood or theft meant that you couldn't complete your tax return.
- There was problems with the post that were beyond your control.
- If you have a disability that caused you to not to be able to meet the deadline.
You can appeal against a fine if you think you've been wrongly hit as long as you have "reasonable excuse". But what counts as reasonable?
HMRC have published a list of excuses that may stand up in your defence, including an unexpected stay in hospital or the death of a close relative.
A problem with the HMRC website that means you can't file your returns or delays caused by the post can also be an excuse.
Also, these reasons only count if you took "reasonable care" to meet them in the first place, and handed them over as soon as you could.
So if you didn't leave enough time to post your tax return before the deadline then your excuse won't count.
What excuses will HMRC not accept?
THESE are the things HMRC definitely will not accept as an excuse for not meeting your tax deadline:
- You asked someone else to send tour return and they didn't do it.
- Your cheque bounced because you didn't have enough money.
- You found the HMRC website too difficult to use.
- HMRC didn't send you a reminder.
- You made a mistake on your tax return.
There is also a list of excuses that they absolutely will not accept, including that you didn't get a reminder from HMRC or that your payment bounced because you didn't have enough money in your account.
A HMRC spokesperson told the Sun Online that proof is not always necessary as they usually trust what people tell them.
They also said that if someone was unwell and could not file, they would not be charged the penalty.
In what circumstances will I be fined?
Submitting your returns up to three months late means you will be fined £100 - so even if you're a day late you'll be slapped with one.
Anything after three months and your penalty will vary depending on how just how late you are. Your fine will also be larger if you have failed to pay your tax bill on time.
In those two circumstances a tool on the HMRC website allows you to
But it doesn't take account of partial payments or penalty payments you've made towards your tax bill, and nor does it consider interest or penalties from previous tax years, or credit you have from previous tax years.
You can appeal if you are fined in the following circumstances:
- You've sent your return in late
- You have paid your tax late
- You have not paid enough tax
- You have failed to keep adequate records
How do I submit my appeal?
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 to appeal.
Most read in money
The deadline for the self-assessment tax return always falls on January 31 and this year HMRC opted for an interesting marketing campaign.
Online and billboard adverts feature a man being nagged by ducks which "niggle" people to complete their forms.
The adverts feature real ducks which were employed by HMRC to post for photos, before being returned to a bird sanctuary in Oxfordshire.
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