Normally self-assessment tax returns need to submitted by 31 January, otherwise there is an automatic £100 late filing penalty. Don’t panic however, as HMRC have recently announced that provided 2020/21 tax returns are received by the end of February, the late filing penalty will not be applied. Filing late will, however, extend the period during which HMRC may open an enquiry into your return.

YOU ALSO HAVE LONGER TO PAY YOUR PERSONAL TAX

2020/21 income tax, CGT, class 2 and 4 NIC liabilities normally need to be paid by 31 January 2022. However, HMRC have recently announced that provided the tax is paid by 1 April 2022, there will be no penalty, although interest accrues from 1 February 2022 at 2.75%.

If you need longer to pay, then you will need to agree a payment plan with HMRC. 

NEW VAT PENALTY REGIME DELAYED TO JANUARY 2023

A new, and arguably fairer, system for determining penalties for late returns and late payment of VAT was due to be introduced from April 2022. However, it has been recently announced that the start has been delayed until January 2023. The same system will also apply to returns under MTD for income tax and those penalties will now start in April 2024. Under the new regime taxpayers will accumulate points for late submissions, and only after reaching a certain threshold will an automatic penalty be imposed. The threshold will depend on how regularly the taxpayer is required to submit a return.