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26 Jan 2012
PEOPLE WHO file their self-assessment tax returns on 1 February and 2 February will not be "unfairly" fined, a government minister has said.
The extension is an acknowledgement that planned strike action by some HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) staff on 31 January will cause staff shortages at its call centres - meaning that thousands of taxpayers who have queries about their tax return will be unable to get answers and may decide to delay filing thier returns until after the deadline.
Further reading
David Gauke, exchequer secretary to the Treasury, said in a statement: "This strike could have caused thousands of people to incur fines, so I am pleased that HMRC has taken this common sense approach. The government does not want anyone trying to file their tax return on time to be unfairly penalised because they were unable to get through for help and advice on the 31st [January]."
Stephen Banyard, acting director general personal tax, said: "We've always been very clear that we want the returns - not the penalties. For that reason, we don't want anyone who can't get through for help and advice on 31 January to be disadvantaged in any way."
Earlier on Thursday HMRC told Accountancy Age that although taxpayers would not be given more time to file their self-assessment returns, anyone who unable to get through to a call centre to get a questions answered would have a "reasonable excuse" for filing late and would not be fined.
HMRC said it has received six million online self-assessment returns so far.
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Visitor comments Add your comment
Department of Expediency and Lies
They told us recently that they had no power to extend the deadline.
Just popping down to an ex parte hearing before a QBD judge in Chambers to obtain leave for judicial review proceedings for a declaration that extension unlawful. I have briefed a Mr Redknapp of Counsel who does not require written instructions.
We are swimming in Gauke-infested waters
Posted by: Jack Harper, 27 Jan 2012 | 11:40
Misleading Headline
Horrendously misleading headline then ("Taxman extends self assessment deadline by two days"). Because he hasn't.
Posted by: Tom Trainer, 27 Jan 2012 | 12:52
Tax Credits declarations
I didn't realise the strikes would affect my ability to declare my actual self-employed income to the tax credits helpline. This can only be done over the phone, and after 2 minutes of messages and options, there is a message saying we can't deal with your call right now, please try again later.
I found a number for an office in the Preston government building, and a nice lady went to check, and told me there isn't anyone in the call centres.
There is no info for people trying to make sure their tax credits are up to date on time, and it can only be done by post or phone, no online options. Why are the phone lines accepting calls when there is no-one to answer them? People might spend all day trying to get through, it will cost them a fortune!
Posted by: Joanna , 31 Jan 2012 | 13:04