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Paper filing deadline looms

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31st Oct 2013
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The 31 October can be a frightening day for many practitioners, but not in the way you might think.

It’s not ghouls and spectres spooking accountants on the last day of this month, but rather the self assessment paper filing deadline.

Those most likely to file paper returns include those with religious or other objections to filing online, and those who cannot have their identities or tax details online, including spies and MPs - all of which are exceptional circumstances.

Returns for the year to 5 April 2013 are due today and late filing will result in a £100 late filing penalty. Even if there is no liability or if any tax due is paid in full by 31 January 2014, the late fee will still apply.

The penalty for failing to file a return on or before the date will apply to paper returns received on or after 1 November 2013 and online returns received on or after 1 February 2014.

After this, daily penalties of £10 per day to a maximum of £900 will also take effect if the return remains outstanding three months after the filing date.

This is the sixth year the 31 October has been the deadline, and HMRC hold it so early due to keenness to phase out paper in favour of online filing.

Last year, more than 80% of those who have to provide returns filed online.

The Revenue advised those filing returns to obtain proof of posting, which will provide evidence that it has been posted in the event of any appeal against a late filing penalty.

But if there is a reason for not being able to file a paper return by 31 October and it’s not an option to move to online, then you may be able to claim a reasonable excuse and have the late filing penalty quashed.

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By CC Cresswell
31st Oct 2013 11:55

Paper Returns
"Those most likely to file paper returns include those with religious or other objections to filing online, and those who cannot have their identities or tax details online, including spies and MPs - all of which are exceptional circumstances."

In addition to the above, there are thousands of Partnerships who don't have the ability to file Partnership Returns online because HMRC don't have the facility to accept online returns - unless the partnership pays for a third party software package, which requires a licence fee every year.

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By Rachael White
31st Oct 2013 13:51

Great point - thank you for adding that. 

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By VP
31st Oct 2013 19:26

Yes I had to ensure that our clients partnership return was filled by 31 Oct. Before the individual partners returns which are done online by 31st Jan 2014. I also had to explain why this was so to the client, at the mention of having to purchase software which would cost extra they quickly provided the info to enable a paper return being filed by 20 Oct!

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