Online filing urged as tax return deadline approaches

Date: 18th October 2010

Taxpayers currently preparing to file their self-assessment returns ahead of this month's deadline could be among those interested in recent comments from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

With the October 31st deadline looming ever closer, the department has highlighted the benefits of using its online service.

Those who are struggling to get their affairs in order could be tempted to seek help from a specialist tax accountant in order to avoid a £100 penalty charge.

HMRC explained that online filing carries a number of benefits including an extension to the deadline applied for paper returns.

"An alternative to paper-filing is to file your return online instead. It's simple to do – three-quarters of self-assessment filers already do it – and you get three months longer to file," the department explained.

"Online filing has other advantages too - your tax is calculated automatically, you get an immediate online acknowledgement once you've filed and it's processed faster, so any money you're owed is repaid more quickly."

Posted by Thomas Fletcher