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Tax officials will cancel penalties for late self assessment returns that have since been submitted their return with a reasonable excuse, HMRC have confirmed.
The Revenue’s director-general of personal tax, Ruth Owen, told BBC Radio 4’s Money Box programme that there had been a change in department policy, meaning most taxpayers’ excuses would be accepted at face value rather than be submitted to inquiry.
Tax officials will cancel penalties for late self assessment returns that have since been submitted their return with a reasonable excuse, HMRC have confirmed.
The Revenue’s director-general of personal tax, Ruth Owen, told BBC Radio 4’s Money Box programme that there had been a change in department policy, meaning most taxpayers’ excuses would be accepted at face value rather than be submitted to inquiry.
An HMRC spokesperson said, “We want to focus more of our resources on investigating major tax avoidance and evasion, rather than penalising ordinary people who are trying to do the right thing.
“But no one will be let off the fine unless they have now sent in their return and have a good reason for sending it in late. This is part of our planned approach to penalty appeals, particularly for small businesses and individuals who have sent their tax return in late.”
