HMRC Reveals Funny Late Tax Return Excuses

The deadline is approaching for 2017/2018 tax returns. HMRC have shared some bizarre excuses they have had from people for not submitting returns on time.

Below are some of them:

• I’m too short to reach the post box
• My boiler had broken, and my fingers were too cold to type
• My mother-in-law is a witch and put a curse on me
• I was just so busy after my first maid left, my second maid stole from me, and the third maid was very slow to learn.

HMRC quoted: “not only do we have funny late tax return excuses, some of the expenses items are dubious”:

• Music subscription, so I can listen to music while I work
• A carpenter claiming for a 55inch TV and sound bar to help him price jobs up
• Pet insurance cost £756.00
• Family holiday to Nigeria

HMRC Director Angela MacDonald said, “We endeavour to make it easy for customers to do the tax returns but each year we do still come across these dubious expenses claims and poor excuses.”

“If you feel you are going to miss the 31^st January deadline and have a genuine excuse, please contact us and we will try and provide you with the help you need”.

The above excuses were declined by HMRC.

Penalties for late tax returns are:

• £100 fixed penalty, the penalty will apply even if there is no tax to pay, or if the tax due is paid on time.
• after 3 months, additional penalties of £10 per day, (maximum of up to £900
• After 6 months further penalties of 5% of the tax due or £300 whichever is the greater
• After 12 months, a further 5% or £300 charge again whichever the greater

There are also additional penalties of 5% for paying late any unpaid tax at 30 days, 6 months and 12 months.