Budget 08: Tax concessions for national disasters

The taxman is to waive the right to interest on taxes paid late if they were held because of a national disaster.

HMRC will also waive surcharges payable on late returns if they too are caused by events such flooding which devastated parts of the country in June and July last year.

The provision, to be introduced in the 2008 Finance Act will be modelled on the concessions given to the victims of foot and mouth disease in 2001.