600,000 taxpayers missed the tax return deadline
After having 10 months after the end of the tax year to file their tax return, around 600,000 taxpayers still missed the 31 January deadline and may now face a fixed penalty unless they provide a reasonable excuse for why they filed late.
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I'm not sure that there is "more on this story" (in the way it is portrayed)?
The figures announced by HMRC each year may change slightly (usually as far as one can tell in order to 'illustrate' whatever message they're trying to push that year).
BUT what we *never* get is any qualification of the baseline numbers.
* What is the *actual* number of "taxpayers that were expected to file"?
It's been the same vague "over 12m" for many years - despite increases in the population and the employed workforce.
* Is that the same number of Notices issued by HMRC or some sort of 'forecast'?
In the latter case, the basis of the forecast should be disclosed - along with variances from previous forecasts.
* Of the "around 600,000 taxpayers still missed the 31 January deadline and now face a fixed penalty" (or the slightly different number quoted in previous years):
a) how many were later found to be dead or 'gone away' permanently?
b) how many did file eventually - one month late, and 2 months late, and so on?
c) how many of those who were issued with a penalty, subsequently paid it?
I sympathise with DN's campaign ... but these questions are just as pertinent, as they will demonstrate the validity (or otherwise) of HMRC's claims regarding both taxpayers' efficiency and their own effectiveness as collectors.
If of course they claim not to know the answers, then that will be the most damning outcome of all!
4 of mine had the provisional box with an X in it so were complete garbage but kept the client legal. I know some people on here don't agree with it but this year, the clients were warned. I wanted to finish at 4pm.
In response to the "fine first, ask questions later" policy of HMRC, I see no reason for them to criticise my "file first, ask questions later" policy.
So they all filed as a last minute job I suspect using HMRC's free software and by doing anything with the system to get the tax low and the filing complete. People will so anything to save fines or tax. So what about the long awaited MTD ITSA - how can MTD work if this is the result after months of opportunity. What a joke the tax system is in the UK.
Whilst I did manage to get all mine in by about 4.30pm on Tuesday I feel let down by HMRC (to put it politely) in that their as yet unresolved chronic problems/delays/ sheer incompetence over the last year meant that I have spent on average considerably more time per client than usual. In some cases I feel that HMRC have actively hindered my efforts to ensure clients returns are completed correctly and in a timely fashion. The biggest waste of my time has been on the duplication of effort in chasing up HMRC replies to issues raised up to a year ago and mollifying the clients affected by the prolonged delay in addressing those (still today) unanswered issues.
As I have said before HMRC are a national disgrace, no longer fit for purpose.
I'm always intrigued by this and frequently find myself wondering whether the figure would be different if they had, say, six months after the year end to file. Most countries give far less than we do. Do they get a lower level of compliance? Yes, HMRC have their significant issues but would those issues be fewer if the deadline were, say, 31 October? Then we could all enjoy Christmas and avoid the peak time for staff sickness etc. Clients might also understand better the relationship between the profit that they make and the tax that they pay if it were due closer to the event.
I have tax returns filed on 30th and 31st January, with proof of filing showing on my software, but as of 3rd February HMRC are still showing them as not yet received. I would not believe this figure of late returns
I have tax returns filed on 30th and 31st January, with proof of filing showing on my software, but as of 3rd February HMRC are still showing them as not yet received. I would not believe this figure of late returns
Me too, and some of those clients are now contacting me to ask if the Return was actually filed. I am of course responding in the positive, however it's just another waste of my time.
'However, the number shows that taxpayers are gradually getting to grips with the deadline'
Well they have only had a quarter of a century to do so, hats off to them I say.
How many of the 600K supposed latecomer customers will have been advised by HMRC during the year that there was no longer an obligatiion to file a 2021/2022 Return . And then to find that no-one within HMRC had pressed the right button to prevent a penalty notice.
Stats produced by HMRC should be taken with a pinch of salt.
I would like to know whether there has been any change in the number of provisional Tax Returns filed. If the agents I have spoken to are anything to go by, the number of provisional Tax Returns filed has increased dramatically: perhaps 10x the level of pre-Covid years.