It’s been heads down all month but thankfully it’s nearly the 31st!
I’m sure you are always fully up to date with your tax compliance, but HMRC are used to hearing some strange excuses from the public for filing their tax returns late. Unsurprisingly, none of these reasons led to a successful appeal……….
My dog ate my tax return…and all the reminders.
I couldn’t complete my tax return, because my husband left me and took our accountant with him. I am currently trying to find a new accountant.
My wife helps me with my tax return, but she had a headache for ten days.
I fell in with the wrong crowd.
I was in Australia.
What is a ‘reasonable excuse’?
If you miss the deadline you can appeal to HMRC against some penalties as long as you have a “reasonable excuse” for filing or paying late.
HMRC say that this must be something unexpected or outside your control such as your partner dying shortly before the tax return or payment deadline, having an unexpected stay in hospital that prevented you from dealing with your tax affairs, or your computer failing when you were preparing your online return. They also say service issues with HMRC’s website, a serious fire or postal delays may also be acceptable reasons. They are unlikely to class bounced cheques, insufficient funds, difficulty using the online system or the lack of a reminder letter as reasonable excuses.
HMRC issues automatic fixed penalties, interest and surcharges on late returns and overdue tax balances.
For more information on our tax and other services please get in touch, all details are on our website Drummond Laurie