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With only a month until the self assessment filing deadline, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is reminding taxpayers to get their returns in by 31 January, to avoid a £100 penalty for missing the deadline.
Around 265,000 people in Hampshire have been sent self assessment forms this year, and HMRC is urging anyone who hasn't filed their return to do so online, using HMRC's website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk.
Around 2m returns were filed online in 2005/06, and already this year an estimated 1.5m people have filed online.
"We'd like everyone to make it their New Year resolution to get their returns in on-time and online," said Mike Shipp, HMRC's Director of Self Assessment.
"Filing online is easy, secure and convenient, and calculations are done for you automatically. When you file online you get an immediate acknowledgement and, if we owe you money, a faster repayment than if your return is sent on paper.
"If you haven't done so already, there is still time to register, but you need to act now by going to http://www.hmrc.gov.uk and selecting 'Self Assessment' from the 'do it online' menu."
If you need help with your return, you should visit HMRC's website - in particular the self assessment web pages at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/sa. If that doesn't answer your questions, call the self assessment helpline on 0845 900 0444, which is available seven days a week between 8.00am and 8.00pm.
Remember, the final deadline for completing and filing your self assessment Tax Return and paying any money owed is 31 January. If you miss this deadline you will receive an automatic £100 penalty for late filing and you will be charged interest on any money paid late.
Late payers also face a surcharge of 5% on any amounts still outstanding after 28 days, with persistent non-filers facing daily penalties of up to £60 per day.
Notes for Editors
1. Around 9.3m self assessment tax returns have been issued for the 2005/06 tax year.
2. Introduced in 1997, self assessment applies to the self-employed, company directors, those with business partners, higher-rate taxpayers, or people who otherwise have complicated tax affairs.
3. The vast majority of self assessment tax returns (8.3m) are submitted by individuals. The remainder comprise 600,000 business partnerships, plus around a quarter of a million trusts and estates.
Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office
Website http://www.hmrc.gov.uk
Client ref SW42/06
