MSE News: Two days' grace for self assessment taxpayers to avoid a fine

freelancegal

Murdina wrote: »

Looks like they are confused too.
If you cannot get your activation code in time to file on line - having asked for it by 31/1/12 then so long as you file on line by 15/2/12 HMRC say they will waive penalty (in other words they will automatically accept you have a reasonable excuse for late filing)
If you file on 1/2 or 2/2 they are now saying pretty much you will not have penalty either because strike action on 31/1/12 may mean you could not get through for help. You do not have to show you tried to ring - it seems to be a blanket thing.
You still need to pay any tax by 31/1/12 as I understand it to avoid interest etc. You can always estimate that or at least try and pay some & pay the rest once you have done return.
And don't forget all the rules on late payment surcharges etc have changed too....

Hi,
Is this definitely the case? If so I could hug you! It is my first tax return and I stupidly decided to do it online but I had no idea you couldn't just log in and do it! So, there's me thinking I would pop on and input the details over the weekend...and I found out you had to wait for a code? I have been panicking all weekend about getting into trouble and getting a fine as the return would be late (because of waiting for a code of some sort.)

I honestly didn't know about the code - I had no idea you had to have it in essentially two weeks? before deadline because of the code which takes 7 business days to arrive.

Pinner_Ram

Submit your tax return on 6th April each year.

The information is easier to gather as it's more recent. (Make sure you keep close tabs on interest rec'd etc as you go through the year, log it when you receive it).

If you're due a refund you'll get it sooner.

If you have to pay more tax you'll know how much you need to pay when, and will have more time to make sure that you have enough put by (in a high interest immediate access account , naturally!).

And you won't be stressed out by the annual media hype around fines/penalties levied by HMRC.

PR

aminn

I called in Dec and have only just received my utr. In the letter it states that I will receive a notice requiring me to complete a tax return and I will have at least 3 months from date of issue of that notice to complete it online or on paper.

As it's the first time I'm completing one I presume the 31/1 deadline doesnt affect me? I called them 5 or 6 times and was told several different things each time. Luckily I spoke to one guy who called the "relevant dept" and confirmed I won't be fined as I will have 3 months to complete the return once I receive it.

Hope that's the case...otherwise I will be complaining!

GlosGirl

Hi, does anyone know if this extension applies to other areas as well? I need to query an overpayment of tax for 2005-2006 and today is the final day (which I only learnt yesterday....!) but due to the strike action, I can't get through. If I ring tomorrow, will they honour the enquiry? Any advice/help would be appreciated.

Micki

Kizziea

Hi

Does the extension of 2 days apply to informing them of your actual income fot 2010 - 2011 ?

I haven't been able to get through today.

Thanks

chrisstal

HMRC are sending out late penalty charge letters for those who submitted s.a. online WITHIN the extended deadline for 2012, flying in the face of their information that all submissions up to midnight 2nd Feb 2012 would not be charged. Reason for extended deadline was that strike action would disrupt HMRC helplines and web sites on 31st Jan., which it did. 'Advice' from HMRC yesterday on this situation.... submitter HAS to go through written appeals procedure to give HMRC judgement choice as to whether appealer's information/reasons would validate withdrawal of penalty of £100. The onus is on appealer to explain HMRC's own procedure.... does this make sense? Anyone else in this position? What about the extra work that HMRC are giving themselves in this situation????? c

Mikeyorks

chrisstal wrote: »

HMRC are sending out late penalty charge letters for those who submitted s.a. online WITHIN the extended deadline for 2012, flying in the face of their information that all submissions up to midnight 2nd Feb 2012 would not be charged.

From the link at post #8 :

The deadline for sending your online tax return was midnight on Tuesday 31 January 2012. All tax returns received on 1 and 2 February 2012 will be treated by HMRC as though they were received by 31 January

...... which is pretty clear. So the one from you either wasn't in by the 2nd - or it's slipped the net?