Analysis from HMRC suggests men win the battle of the taxes as they are more likely than women to complete their self assessment tax return on time, while Northern Ireland taxpayers are the best performers and Londoners the worst when it comes to meeting the 31 January deadline
With 294 of every 10,000 tax returns completed late, men have managed to topple women off the top spot. In comparison, women submitted 303 late tax returns for every 10,000 in 2013 14 tax year, just nine away from the top slot for tardiness.
HMRC says it is not only gender that impacts on whether taxpayers might miss the 31 January deadline but also age.
Its data suggests age does indeed bring wisdom, as only 118 of every 10,000 tax returns received late, came from those aged 65 and over, making them top of the class. Those with room for improvement are the 18-20 year olds with a very much greater 949 for every 10,000 returns overdue.
Looking at the performance in different industry sectors, HMRC reports that the agriculture, fishing and forestry industry are once again in the lead, with just 71 in every 10,000 returns submitted late.
Perhaps surprisingly accountants, along with lawyers, rank only second, with 147 late returns per 10,000, despite being well aware of the potential consequence.
The financial, insurance and real estate sector’s 212 late submissions per 10,000, moves them from fifth place to third this year. Bottom of the table are those working in the administrative and support services (359 per 10,000), with information and communication industries not far behind (330 per 10,000) and education the next worst performing sector (292 per 10,000).
Across the UK, those living in Northern Ireland are the most likely to complete their tax return without delay with 223 for every 10,000 submitted late, followed by Wales (259 per 10,000), and Scotland (291 per 10,000). Taxpayers in England were the worst culprits for late returns, sending in 297 per 10,000 after the deadline. As a whole, the UK submitted 293 late returns for every 10,000 in 2013-14.
The capital’s taxpayers were the worst performers in England, with those in London completing 402 late returns for every 10,000. Meanwhile, the South West sent in 236 late returns for every 10,000 making them the English region least likely to miss the January deadline.
Ruth Owen, HMRC director general of personal tax, said: ‘It doesn’t matter if you're a man or woman, young or old, whether you live in Newcastle or Cardiff, – if you need to complete a tax return, you need to do it now.
‘Our online service has a wide range of resources to help taxpayers complete their tax return and can be accessed 24 hours a day to suit everyone’s working pattern. Our advice is to not leave it until the eleventh hour – act now to prevent getting caught up in a last minute rush.’
To avoid a £100 late return penalty, there are now just 72 hours left to submit an online tax return, and pay what is owed to HMRC before the 31 January deadline.
As the 31 January filing deadline falls on a Sunday this year, HMRC’s Self assessment Helpline (0300 200 3310) and Online Services Helpdesk (0300 200 3600) will be open for extended hours this weekend. They will be taking calls on Saturday 30 January from 8am to 6pm and on Sunday 31 January from 9am to 5pm. There will be te same extended hours for theAgent Dedicated Line (0300 200 3311).
