I've had three clients receive HMRC letters this week saying they must file a 15/16 SA return by 31st Jan. They are all Directors but none of them filed 14/15 returns. I had anticipated having to apply for UTR's for 16/17 due to the 7.5% Dividend Tax. But it seems HMRC have pro-actively jumped the gun!
Makes me wonder how many £100 penalty notices will be flying around in Feb.
Anyone experienced similar?
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When was the notice to file issued?
Why are they writing ten minutes before the deadline?
I've heard of no such letters.
I haven't had any letters either... and I had a new client register 2 weeks ago, and they have until mid April to file. I had a similar situation last year, but got it in by 31.01.16 so cant say if there would have been a penalty (for registering late at least).
Checked my HMRC account - I have just four clients on there for whom a return hasn't been submitted for 2015/16, one of whom only registered for SA a week ago with 2016/17 in mind.
All of them say that a return has not been issued and no return is required.
I suggest you try to gather some information from your own HMRC account. It should tell you whether a return is required and, if so, when the return (or notice to file) was issued.
And get the letter from the client if you haven't done so already. You know how clients panic.
These are clients who did not previously have a UTR so would not be on my HMRC account.
Its only by getting a copy of the letter from the client that I can see what the UTR is and so apply for agency.
I can whack in a tax return with employment earnings on it and sort out amended return in Feb but its a bit harem scarem.
You can do nothing sensible without knowing the date of issue.
As Bernard says, you have three months from the date of issue. Or two for a paper return.