5.4m taxpayers urged to submit their tax returns

The 5.4 million taxpayers are being urged to complete their self assessment tax returns ahead of the 31 January deadline.  

More than 11 million 2018-19 tax returns are due back with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) by the end of January. Around 54 per cent of taxpayers have already filed their returns with more than 5.6 million of those completed online, the HMRC said in a statement.

“The self assessment deadline on 31 January is fast approaching so customers have just under a month left to file their tax returns online to avoid any unnecessary penalties. Any tax due is also payable by 31 January,” cautioned Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s director general for customer services.

“We know that can be a worry, and not only when large sums are involved, so I would urge anyone who is expecting to find it difficult to pay their tax to get in touch with us as soon as possible. We will do everything we can to help and provide practical support.”

The HMRC has advised individuals who are completing a self assessment for the first time, or are yet to start their 2018-19 tax return, to visit GOV.UK for a range of support and guidance.

It reminded that people need to complete a tax return if they:

• or their partner received Child Benefit and either of them had an annual income of more than £50,000;
• received more than £2,500 in other untaxed income, for example: from tips or commission; money from renting out a property; income from savings, investments and dividends; from foreign income;
• are self-employed sole traders and earned more than a £1,000;
• are a partner in a business partnership;
• are employees claiming expenses in excess of £2,500; and
• have an annual income over £100,000.

Customers who are not sure if they need to file a tax return can use the following tool - Check if you need to send a tax return.