Tax return woes

trashedteen

Hi all, I've had a completely hectic Christmas/New Years,

My father was attacked on NYE, leaving him with a fractured skull. He was in the hospital for 3 days and discharged himself. He refused to go back and so I have been his sole carer since the new year.

I am a self-employed widnow cleaner and so obviously have to fill in a self-assessment tax return. The problem is with all that's been going on I have left it too late and now have to wait for my activation code before I can complete the form. This is going to put me over the deadline.

The thing is, I haven't earned over the taxable threshold (£7500?) this year as I earn very little and the £100 charge is going to kill me. Is there anyway of extending the deadline or wavering that charge?

Hope you can help,

Jon

secretservice

Hi Jon,

The deadline has been extended by 2 days until Midnight on Thursday (2nd Feb). If your code doesn't arrive on time you could always try a penalty appeal giving your circumstances http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/factsheets/hmrc1.pdf.

Unfortunately, the level of income/profit does not affect your ability to receive a penalty. HMRC are enforcing stricter penalty regulations this financial year.

PaulS43

Hi Jon,

I can't offer any more advice than has already been given but I would love to know whether or not they will set the £100 fine aside from what you say are good mitigating circumstances - especially as you are saving the State a few quid by actually looking after your father rather than abandoning him to nurses and the like while looking after yourself.

If they don't play the game and insist on fining you do come back and explain because other learned people on here would surely point you in the right direction.

trashedteen

Thanks for the help guys, I applied for my activation code today and they told me it could take up to 7 days to post it. I will see how things go but it looks as if I'm probably going to have to appeal.

I'll keep you updated.

Thanks again for the help.

Jon

mrkbrrws

This page explains more about how to claim a penalty should not be charged due to 'reasonable excuse'

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/online/excuse-missed-deadline.htm

Mikeyorks

trashedteen wrote: »

Thanks for the help guys, I applied for my activation code today and they told me it could take up to 7 days to post it.

You have up to the 15th Feb to get the Return in under those circumstances. I'm surprised the online help people didn't mention it.

trashedteen

Oh that's great news. So seeing as I registered online yesterday, as long as it's in by the 15th Feb I get no charge?

Mikeyorks

It's not on the HMRC website .... but that's my understanding from some HMRC users on here.

Namely - request an activation code by 31st Jan (inc) and you have until 15th Feb to get the Return in online. But that won't apply to any money due .... where interest will run on overdue amounts after 2nd Feb.

trashedteen

Ok, but if I've earned under the threshold then I should be safe? Or am I likely to get the £100 fine?

Mikeyorks

You're fine if you get it in by the 15th. After that and the penalty is £100 as it's no longer geared to the tax due.

You can appeal it ...... but I would have all your figures ready to get it submitted as soon as you get the Code. That is guaranteed - the appeal isn't.

trashedteen

Fantastic, thanks guys