Groups call on HMRC to skip self-assessment fines

Date: 22nd October 2009

Industry groups have urged HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) not to fine people who miss the paper self assessment tax return deadline this year.

The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) and Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) both said today (October 22nd) that the £100 fines should not be made, as much of the nation's mail is likely to be delayed due to the industrial action.

Over 100,000 postal workers are likely to walk out of their jobs over today and tomorrow, as the dispute over Royal Mail's modernisation plans continues.

The deadline for paper tax returns falls on October 31st, while the date by which online forms must be completed is January 31st.

HMRC has already said that anyone who misses the deadline as a direct consequence of the strikes will not be fined the £100 penalty.

Andrew Hubbard, CIOT president, said: "Given the chaos likely to hit the postal service over the next few days it would be much more sensible, and less bureaucratic all round, simply to treat all returns which arrive up to a week late as having arrived on time."

ATT president David Stedman added: "I would strongly encourage anyone yet to send in their tax return to either deliver it by hand to a local tax office - and keep a note of when they delivered it - or to obtain a ‘proof of posting' certificate from their local post office when they post it."

Reports suggested this afternoon that postal workers could also launch a three-day strike next week, further disrupting mail deliveries.