207,000 make use of extra filing days

Date: 7th February 2012

More than 200,000 UK taxpayers made use of an extension to the deadline announced by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

According to new figures, 87,000 self-assessment tax returns were filed on February 1st this year, while a further 120,000 were filed a day later.

In normal circumstances, online returns must be filed by January 31st. However, as a result of industrial action involving HMRC staff, the department allowed for an extra two days.

While a record number of tax returns (7.65 million) were filed online for the last tax year, around one million people failed to meet even the extended deadline and will now face an automatic £100 fine.

David Gauke, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said: "HMRC has always been clear that it wants returns not penalties, so it is good news that more than 90 per cent of all returns were submitted on time.

"I am also pleased that the extension to the filing deadline prevented people from being unfairly penalised if they were unable to speak to HMRC on the January 31st."

Posted by Jacob Williams