The threat of strike action by some public sector employees is behind HMRC’s decision not to impose late filing penalties on taxpayers who file their Self Assessment returns on 1 and 2 February 2012.                     

With an estimated two million people yet to file, the fear is that too many taxpayers would not be able to get through to HMRC's call centres on 31 January 2012 where strike action by some employees is anticipated.

HMRC have also advised that:

‘The SA deadline remains midnight on 31 January. But HMRC will treat all returns that come in by midnight on 2 February as though they were submitted by 31 January. No customer will have to pay interest on payments due on 31 January that are paid on 1 or 2 February.’

Acting Director General Personal Tax, Stephen Banyard, said:

HMRC is introducing a much tougher system of fines this year with a £100 penalty applying whether or not there is tax owed and interest accumulating the longer returns remain unfiled.

If you require advice on your self-assessment tax return responsibilities. Please get in touch. 

Francis Clark has offices in Exeter, Plymouth, Salisbury, Taunton, Tavistock, Torquay and Truro. Francis Clark is the winner of the ‘Auditor of the Year - Mid Tier’ in the National Financial Directors’ Excellence Awards 2011, and LexisNexis Best General Tax Practice Award 2009. More information is available by logging on at our Online Information Centre