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03 Feb 2012
MORE THAN 200,000 people took advantage of HMRC leniency to file their tax returns in the penalty-free first days of February.
With the taxman allowing filings on 1 and 2 February penalty-free, after HMRC staff took part in a strike on the self-assessment deadline of 31 January, 207,000 submitted tax returns online. The taxman received 87,000 tax returns on 1 February, and 120,000 a day later.
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In total, 9.45 million returns were filed on time, with 7.65 million filed online (including the 207,000 on 1 and 2 February). With nine out of 10 filed before the deadline, about one million people face a £100 penalty.
David Gauke, exchequer secretary to the Treasury, said: "I'm delighted so many people filed their tax returns online this year. The record number proves that it's quick, easy and secure to do.
"HMRC has always been clear that it wants returns not penalties, so it is good news that more than 90% of all returns were submitted on time.
"I am also pleased that the extension to the filing deadline prevented people from being unfairly penalised if they were unable to speak to HMRC on the 31 January."
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HMRC Return Filing
I note that HMRC are talking of 1 million returns not being filed which is the same as for 20009/2010 year in spite of the huge amount spent on advertising. As before they will be going on to suggest that £100m will therefore be collected in penalties. I believe the actual amount collected in 2009/2010 would not exceed £10m.
How much time is HMRC going to have to spend this year collecting penalties from people who were unaware that they had been sent a form, have moved house, have no tax liability etc and will therefore argue vociferously against any penalty?
I question how cost effective it will all turn out to have been later in the year.
Posted by: C D Kyle, 09 Feb 2012 | 12:46