Self Assessment online filing statistics
HMRC has issued a press release detailing the number of online filings made for the 2013-14 Self Assessment returns. The use of the online service continues to grow year on year. This year a total of over 8.75 million online filings were made by the 31 January 2015 deadline. A further almost 1.49 million tax returns were submitted on paper returns. This means that 92% of returns were submitted on time (be it the paper or online deadline).
The highest numbers of returns were made on the last two filing days (30 & 31 January 2015) when 979,256 online filings were made. The busiest hour on deadline day was between 11 am and midday, when almost 32,000 returns were received.
Any returns filed after the 31 January 2015 deadline will be subject to a penalty. A £100 penalty for late submission of the Self Assessment return applies even if taxpayers have no tax to pay or have paid any tax due on time.
In addition the following penalties applies to Self Assessment returns that are filed late:
- From 3 months late: taxpayers will be charged an automatic daily penalty of £10 per day up to a £900 maximum.
- From 6 months late: taxpayers will be charged additional penalties which are the greater of 5% of tax due or £300.
- Over 12 months late: there are additional penalties based on greater of 5% of tax due or £300. In serious cases this penalty may be increased up to 100% of tax due.
HMRC’s Director General of Personal Tax, Ruth Owen, said:
‘This is another record-breaking year for Self Assessment, with 210,000 more people filing their returns on time than last year. We’re grateful to the overwhelming majority of people who sent their returns on time. If you’re one of the minority who missed the deadline, you still need to get your tax return to us as soon as possible, to avoid further penalties and interest mounting up.’