Rise in online tax returns filed over Christmas
Taxpayers are reminded that the deadline for submitting 2013/14 self assessment tax returns online is 31 January 2015. Taxpayers should also be aware that payment of any tax due should also be made by this date. This includes both the payment of any balance of self assessment liability for the 2013/14, plus any payment on account due for the current 2014/15 tax year.
A recent press release by HMRC highlighted the fact that 1,773 taxpayers took the time to file their tax return online on Christmas Day and over 22,000 taxpayers filed their tax returns on either Christmas Eve or Boxing Day. Altogether this was a 5% rise in the amount of filings from 2013 over the three-day festive period.
HMRC Director General of Personal Tax, Ruth Owen, said:
‘You can file your online return at any time of day or night – even Christmas Day, if it suits you. But don’t leave it too late. Give yourself plenty of time to resolve any problems and if you need to call us, do it now, as our phone lines get much busier as the 31 January deadline approaches.’
Any taxpayers that are filing online for the first time should ensure that they register to use HMRC’s self assessment Online service as soon as possible. Once registered it can take up to 10 days for an activation code to be sent by mail.