HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have today released a statement relating to self-assessment tax returns as the deadline for paper returns nears.
The Communications Workers Union has announced to Royal Mail their intention to hold two national strikes this week on 22 and 23 October, and further industrial action has not been ruled out. This is likely to affect delivery of paper tax returns to HMRC, which are due by 31st October. HMRC are aware of this and have advised contractors to be aware that;
1) It’s your responsibility to make sure that your return is received on time. For paper returns the deadline is Saturday 31st October.
2) You should consider filing online as you’ll have longer to file your tax return – until 31st January 2010.
3) If you want to send your return on paper you can deliver it by hand to your nearest HMRC Office instead of posting it.
4) If you deliver your tax return by hand on Monday 2 November, normal arrangements will apply and you won’t have to pay a late filing penalty.
5) If you still decide to post your return, send it to your tax office as soon as possible.
6) You won’t have to pay a penalty if you missed the deadline because of the postal strike – but you’ll need to be able to prove that you posted your return before 31 October.
Agents are advised to file their customers’ tax returns online. If they do want to send them on paper they should either post them as soon as possible or take them to their nearest HMRC Office.
To prepare and submit your Tax Return online you need to register for an online account. HMRC will then send you an activation code within 7 days so you can activate your account. Your tax liability will be calculated for you, and the chances of discrepancies are therefore lower than using the paper return.
For more information on the self assessment process, visit HMRC.
