HMRC has ramped up its warnings to taxpayers that the deadline for completing paper tax returns for 2013/14 is the end of this month, and that any paper returns received after the 31 October deadline will result in a £100 penalty
HMRC says it is expecting around 11m people to fill out a self assessment return, and point out that the £100 late-filing penalty may apply even in cases where an individual has no tax to pay, or pays their tax on time. It also cautions that the longer the delay in submitting a paper return, the higher the fines could be.
HMRC says that taxpayers who fear they will not be able to submit a paper return by 31 October 2014 should switch to sending an online return, which gives them an extra three months.
Online returns are due on 31 January 2015, and HMRC says filing online means tax is calculated automatically and the return is processed faster, so any tax refunds due will be repaid more quickly.
Taxpayers looking for help and advice on filing their return are directed to the GOV.UK website at www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns.
There is also the Self Assessment helpline on 0300 200 3310 (open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am to 4pm on Saturday).
