HMRC’s Top Ten of Failed Late Excuses

Blaming a spouse, child, dog or wasps are just some of the ways that people have tried to justify missing the Self Assessment tax return filing deadline and swerve the associated fines.

In an interesting alternative to the pop charts, HMRC’s Top Ten failed excuses – in order of entertainment value – are:

1. “My internet connection failed.”
2. “The postman doesn’t deliver to my house.”
3. “I work for myself, but a colleague borrowed my tax return to photocopy it and lost it.”
4. “My child scribbled all over the tax return, so I wasn’t able to send it back.”
5. “My wife helps me with the tax return, but she had a headache for ten days.”
6. “My husband told me the deadline was the 31^st March.”
7. “My dog ate my tax return…and all of the reminders.”
8. “I couldn’t complete my tax return, because my husband left me and too our accountant with him. I am currently trying to find a new accountant.”
9. “A wasp in my car caused me to have an accident and my tax return, which was inside, was destroyed.”
10. “My tax return was on my yacht…which caught fire.”

After this lot, there’s only really ‘the boogie’ left to blame!

Amusing as it is that people actually try and use these excuses, it is important to remember that every one of them failed to get late fines revoked because HMRC judged them to be either a lie or ‘not a reasonable excuse’. Unfortunately, originality and entertainment value are not taken into consideration.

What are the SA fines?

• £100 – for late filing (even if you do not owe any tax), if you pay your tax bill after 3 months on time
• £10 per day after 6 months, up to £900
• £300 or 5% of tax bill after 12 months (the larger figure)
• Fine for late payment – 5% of tax bill at 30 days, 6 months and 12 months, if it remains unpaid

Joking aside, the main lesson to take from this is that you are ultimately responsible for getting your tax return to HMRC by the deadline. They do accept real reasons for late filing, although they are restricted and you will probably be asked for evidence. If you already know that you cannot make this year’s deadline, then get in touch with HMRC now and get the appropriate advice.

Helpful information

• Online 2015-2016 Self Assessment tax return filing deadline is midnight, 31^st January 2017
• Deadline for paying tax bill – midnight 31^st January 2017
• You can send your tax return through your Personal Tax Account
• You need to register for Self Assessment before you can submit a return, if this is your first one. Go to www.gov.uk/selfassessment.
• Get help from HMRC on 0300 200 3310 or via the HMRC website.

A few final words of reassurance, straight from the horse’s mouth…

HMRC Director General of Customer Services, Ruth Owen, said:

“Blaming the postman, arguing with family members and pesky insects – it’s easy to see that some excuses for not completing a tax return on time can be more questionable than others. Luckily, it’s only a small minority who chance their arm.

But there will always be help and support available for those who have a genuine excuse for not submitting their return on time. If you think you might miss the 31 January deadline, get in touch with us now – the earlier we’re contacted, the better.”