Relaxation of filing deadlines for Coronavirus?

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With the government telling people to self isolate will they relax filing and payement deadlines? If I have a client that potentially has Coronavirus I dont want contact with them. Likewise if I have it and I'm too ill to work will there be a relaxation on filing deadlines and penalties for VAT, CT, statutory accounts etc? Also off to Thailand for a fortnight on Monday, If the UK goes into lockdown and I can't get back in for a period of time will this be taken into consideration when I cant file client returns?

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Caroline
By accountantccole
13th Mar 2020 12:34

Maybe in the next phase - France have relaxed deadlines for March

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Scooby
By gainsborough
13th Mar 2020 12:53

The gov.uk website states that you could apply for an extension to file in some cases
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-if-your-company-cannot-fi....

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Replying to gainsborough:
wolfy
By rob winder
13th Mar 2020 13:16

You know how long it takes HMRC to respond to any request. Imagine the delays if the spread of the virus effected seriously large sections of the population. There is also the double edged sword that the government rely on the taxes it collects to keep the country running.

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Replying to rob winder:
Scooby
By gainsborough
13th Mar 2020 13:39

Yes, sadly I do....was bad enough before all this. I guess it's either an extension request or appealing after an automatic penalty is issued.

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By Duggimon
13th Mar 2020 13:52

I'm anticipating a lot of appeals in the next few months, but I would expect them all to be successful. I'll probably knock together a standard template.

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By kestrepo
13th Mar 2020 14:01

If your business is dependent on you being in the UK I would be giving international travel a miss at the moment. I guess it all depends on your appetite for risk though. I wouldn't want to get caught abroad and there is no guarantee that restrictions will only be for just a 14 day period. I would start reading the t&c's of your travel insurance - part of Thailand has travel restrictions (a be it a small part!) from the FCO already............ or go on a cruise........... I hear there is a buy one week get two weeks free deal at the moment!!

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Replying to kestrepo:
wolfy
By rob winder
13th Mar 2020 14:08

Thanks, I think I'll give the cruise a miss, there's already been a few of them quarantined. To be honest my view has been to hell with it I'll be OK, until today. After reading about the lock down in various European countries its starting to hit home. It might take the UK a bit longer to react, but if it close its borders it would be a major kick in the nuts!

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By Peter Anderson
13th Mar 2020 14:48

There's a helpline for Time To Pay arrangements if clients can't pay because of coronovirus: https://www.gov.uk/difficulties-paying-hmrc

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By Whatisname
13th Mar 2020 20:44

No.

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