Self-assessment taxpayers urged to remain vigilant ahead of 2021-22 tax return deadline

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is calling on UK taxpayers due to file and pay self-assessment tax returns for the 2021-22 tax year by 31st January 2023 to look out for suspicious communications from organisations purporting to be HMRC.

At the start of January 2023, almost six million taxpayers will be required to file their 2021-22 self-assessment tax returns. With so many taxpayers actively engaging with the GOV.UK portal, HMRC believes there will be a rise in criminals claiming to offer bogus tax rebates or threatening individuals with arrest for tax evasion or unpaid tax.

One of the most recent tax scams related to the £125 work-from-home tax relief open to taxpayers from HMRC.

A host of unregulated firms offered to charge individuals to handle the claim for the relief on their behalf – even though the claims were free to make in the first place. Some firms were discovered to have asked for almost half of the £125 relief to ‘process’ the claim.

How do you know if an HMRC communication is legitimate?

HMRC will never distribute emails informing you of an available tax rebate. Anyone emailing you in such terms will not represent HMRC.

Furthermore, HMRC does not request personal or payment information via email.

HMRC regularly updates its list of active communications campaigns to help individuals determine if a suspicious email, telephone call or letter is from HMRC. [AG1] 

Myrtle Lloyd, Director-General for Customer Services, HMRC, said: “Never let yourself be rushed. If someone contacts you saying they’re from HMRC, wanting you to urgently transfer money or give personal information, be on your guard.”

Anyone that believes they have fallen foul of a tax-related scam should contact their bank and notify Action Fraud of the crime immediately.

 

Date published 11 Jan 2023 | Last updated 20 Mar 2024

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