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
