Starting Sunday, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will begin issuing £100 fines to UK households that have missed the January 31 deadline for submitting their tax returns. The tax authority has repeatedly urged taxpayers and agents to file promptly to avoid penalties.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, stressed the importance of early filing: “Don’t leave it until the last minute. Filing now ensures peace of mind that your tax return is complete. If you owe tax, you then have a week to arrange payment.”
For those concerned about payment difficulties, HMRC offers the option to set up payment plans online. Taxpayers can find guidance by searching ‘difficulties paying HMRC’ on the official government website.
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Phone support lines were closed on Friday, January 30, and will reopen Monday, February 2. However, HMRC will provide webchat assistance on the deadline day, Saturday, January 31, via its online helpdesk.
Earlier this month, HMRC apologized for a temporary technical fault that disrupted its helpline service, frustrating many users. One social media user expressed their frustration on HMRC’s X account, highlighting the challenge of reaching a human agent.
Accountant Ilyas Patel from Preston described long wait times for HMRC support calls, saying his team often spends 45 to 60 minutes on hold, with calls occasionally dropping after an hour, requiring them to restart their attempts.
While HMRC may waive penalties for those with reasonable excuses for missing the deadline, it warns taxpayers to remain vigilant against scams falsely contacting them claiming to be from HMRC.
John Hood of accountancy firm Moore Kingston Smith commented on the customer service challenges, noting that waiting times can be unpredictable and emphasizing that the government’s shift toward Making Tax Digital is increasing reliance on digital channels, which may affect service improvements.