Help offered to subpostmasters from HMRC and tax professionals

HMRC has confirmed that subpostmasters who receive top-up payments under the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS) will not be subject to penalties or interest where those payments are not received ‘in good time’ to file a tax return by the 31 January 2024 filing deadline. This will also apply where the £300 ‘tax advice grant’ available from the Post Office to claimants has not been received in good time. HMRC has set up a dedicated helpline on 0300 322 9625 for subpostmasters in the HSS.

In addition a group of tax professionals are offering to help subpostmasters with their self-assessment tax returns for free. Spearheaded by Rebecca Benneyworth who put out a call for action on X formerly Twitter on 20 December a website has been set up - subpostmasterstax.org.uk – to act as a resource for subpostmasters who have...