Strike on 31 Jan 'reasonable excuse' for late SA filing
HMRC said it will waive £100 late filing penalties for those unable to access the Self Assessment helpline on 31 January due to the department's expected call centre strike.
The tax department expects 600,000 people to submit their tax returns on the final deadline day and 15% of those typically call HMRC with a query about their return on the same day.
However, with a large majority of the department’s call centre staff expected to strike on deadline day, HMRC will expunge any penalty for those who write a letter citing the helpline strike as the reason for their delayed return.
A HMRC spokesperson said “We’re hoping that the strike will be resolved but there’s a good chance it may not be so we may not be able to provide the level of service we would like on the deadline day.
“Because these people are trying to do the right thing and because we can’t provide them with the kind of support we should, we won’t ask these people to pay a penalty. They’ll have a reasonable excuse under the existing provisions.”
David Guake comments
David Gauke, exchequer secretary to the Treasury, said: “This strike could have caused thousands of people to incur fines, so I am pleased that HMRC has taken this common sense approach. The government does not want anyone trying to file their tax return on time to be unfairly penalised because they were unable to get through for help and advice on the 31st.”
Just heard that too - but 1 thanks
Just heard that too - but nothing on the revenue web site - but thats no surprise !! That would be a help with my stragglers !
HMRC update
HMRC has confirmed that any returns submitted on the 1 or 2 of February will recieve no fines whatsoever. All returns will be subject to the same rules that apply on 31 January.
If Accountants had a mass walkout on 31st Jan
would our clients be able to claim that as reasonable excuse?
Please clarify 1 thanks
It is worth pointing out that we have conflicting reports of what is going on. According to the BBC no fines will be sent out for returns received late on 1-2 Feb. According to the above it sounds like you may be fined but you will have a reasonable excuse. I think the former sounds more plausible because HMRC are trying to avoid loads of appeals clogging up the systems.
More funny is the fact we now see that HMRC can after all change its computers to a penalty date forwards or backwards (as we all knew it could). Which all brings me to You Charter - anyone remember that?
HMRC says:
"We will:
• act within the law and our published guidance"
It would be kind of good to have some guidance PUBLISHED by HMRC on the exact position here given that this story is now two days old.
Virtual Tax Support for accountants: www.rossmartin.co.uk
The missing link to Marion's post
Not posted in What's new, Agent News, Service issues, etc...but in its press section on 26 Jan 2011.
HMRC - commonsense
don't make me laugh. The only reason why they are waiving the penalties is because they know they would lose in tribunal. Anyhow what gives HMRC the right to "waive" penalties just when they feel like it. If penalties are law then HMRC don't have that right. If not then surely we can also say "we decided not to work that day because it was raining" so we have a reasonable excuse. Time HMRC were taken to task - mind you any more strikes and they might just as well pack it all up and let us REALLY self assess.