Record numbers file online tax returns

Date: 1st February 2010

A record number of people used HM Revenue & Customs' (HMRC) online tax return facility to set their tax records straight this year.

Figures published today (February 1st) have revealed that 6,429,899 people had filed online ahead of yesterday's deadline.

The figure represents a 12 per cent increase on last year's total and accounts for 75 per cent of all returns.

Financial secretary to the treasury, Stephen Timms, said: "More people than ever before are now filing their tax returns online.

"It's easier, quicker and HMRC processes your return faster, so any money you're owed is repaid more quickly. If you haven't yet made the switch from paper to online, do so, and join the millions who are benefiting already."

A large number of people left it to he last minute to beat the deadline and avoid a £100 fine.

The figures also showed that 384,638 people waited until January 29th to file, with the busy 16:00 to 17:00 period attracting almost 40,000 taxpayers to HMRC's online service.