Reasons (Excuses) for filing your Self Assessment Return Late

Around half a million people who still have not filed tax returns for the 2010/11 tax year are about to receive fines of at least £1,200 as HM Revenue & Customs sends out its latest round of penalty letters.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012/aug/14/hmrc-penalty-fines-tax-return

So here some examples of reasonable excuses:

  • a failure in the HMRC computer system
  • your computer breaks down just before or during the preparation of your online return
  • a serious illness, disability or serious mental health condition has made you incapable of filing your tax return
  • you registered for HMRC Online Services but didn’t get your Activation Code in time

And some that aren’t acceptable:

  • found the online system too complicated to follow
  • left everything to your accountant to do and they let you down
  • forgot about the deadline
  • did not try to re-submit your return on time once a problem with the IT system was put right
  • registered for HMRC Online Services after the filing deadline (eg 31 January for Self Assessment)

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/online/excuse-missed-deadline.htm#1

If you need to appeal against a penalties here is a link to form SA370

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/forms/sa370.pdf

Whats’ your excuse?

steve@bicknells.net

 

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