Time’s running out to sign up for online tax return

WORKERS filing a tax return for the first time have just days to request a log in, or they risk landing a £100 fine.

First-timers face a long ten-day wait to receive their Government gateway ID, which is required for submitting a selfassessment tax return.

The sluggish processing times will push thousands who wait until the end of the month to request a log in, over the January 31 deadline. Self-employed people and those claiming certain benefits or secondary income have until the end of the month to submit the forms online.

Around 5.7 million self-assessments have not yet been filed, according to HMRC.

In total, it expects more than 12 million workers to submit their return by the deadline.

Last year, taxpayers had until February 28 to complete their assessment, but HMRC has confirmed that there will not be an extension this year.

Nimesh Shah, of tax advisers Blick Rothenberg, warns that those who get caught out by the long wait will not be able to use it as an excuse for late payment.

He says: ‘Don’t leave your return to the 11th hour because HMRC will have no sympathy if you miss the deadline.’

In addition to the one-off £100 late payment penalty, workers who do not file on time face further fines of £10 per day if their return is over three months late.

For more information visit gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-return-forms or call 0300 200 3310.