Treasury issues New Year tax return reminder

Date: 5th January 2011

Taxpayers are being urged to register to use HM Revenue & Customs' (HMRC) online service in plenty of time before the tax return deadline later this month.

All online self-assessment tax returns must be filed with HMRC by midnight on January 31st or taxpayers will automatically receive a £100 penalty and could be subject to further charges.

The Treasury has warned that it can take several days to acquire the necessary information to complete an online return and is therefore urging taxpayers not to wait until the last minute.

"Registering for online filing is simple - visit the HMRC website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/online. You'll be given a User ID and an Activation Code will be posted to you within seven working days. Once you've activated the self-assessment service, you can file online," the department explained.

"If you've filed online before, make sure that you have your User ID and password - it can take seven working days to get replacements, so don't leave it to the last minute if you need them."

Posted by Jacob Willliams