Self employment tax return

htc20

Hi can anyone advise me, I’m new here! I’m a self employed dance instructor (within a partnership) due to coronavirus like many others we have been unable to work this year. My self employment tax return was due on the 31st January. I completed the return on the 15th of jan. After being worried about the self employment grants I logged into my tax account on the 3/3 and couldn’t see my 19/20 return so submitted it again. I have a copy from the 15th of jan before I submitted it. I then messaged on line to say I think I’ve filled twice by mistake. But had no response. I have since had a message on my account to say I filed late and have been fined for doing so. I have already appealed and am waiting to hear from them, however I’m extremely worried that as they are saying it wasn’t recieved I won’t be able to claim the next grant. We’ve struggled so much with me being out of work and I haven’t missed any deadline for tax since opening. I am devastated and don’t know why it wasn’t received or didnt go through correctly. Has anyone had experience with this at all? Or have any helpful advise 

MattMattMattUK

Do you have a submission reference and the email HMRC send when you submit from the submission you think you made on 15/01?

htc20

No I don’t. I just have the copy of the completed form. 

zzyzx1221

htc20 said:

No I don’t. I just have the copy of the completed form. 

Without a submission number or a confirmation email, most likely it was not submitted correctly.

Unfortunately they are very strict about this, you won't be able to claim the next two grants.

htc20

I thought as much 

sheramber

It sounds like you pressed the save button but not the submit button if you did not receive a submission confirmation email.

Thrugelmir

htc20 said:

I thought as much 

The process to follow is very clear. There's no ambiguity. Intentionally so to avoid false claims being made. 

htc20

htc20 said:

I thought as much 

The process to follow is very clear. There's no ambiguity. Intentionally so to avoid false claims being made. 

I know it is very clear, I have been doing them for years and never has a problem. I am certain I sent it, but didn’t receive a confirmation email, and if I’m honest with everything else that was and still is going on in the world right now it slipped my mind to check for confirmation.  every time I tried to call there hotline to speak to a person I couldn’t get through. I am not trying to make a false claim, this is a genuine problem. I don’t even have to pay tax I choose too. 

poppy12345

You're not the first person that's posted here regarding this and i'm sure you won't be the last either. Appealing isn't going to help you either, other's have appealed last year and were still refused.

Michael_Bear

@htc20 - "I dont even have to pay tax I choose too" - I'm hoping I've misinterpreted this. Feel free to defend yourself if I have.

Regarding your situation sounds absolutely rubbish, its a mistake I can imagine many of us would make and consequences seem so harsh.

htc20

Just wanted to update everyone - I have received an answer to my appeal. It has been accepted and my file has been updated. They have agreed that their records show that I did in fact send my return on the 15/1/2021 and according to the records, an online error occurred at there end.
Thank you to those of you who were supportive.