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It iss the second year the HMRC has adopted a more lenient approach to filing deadlines and penalties due to the pressure on tax payers and their agents because of the COVID restrictions.
However, HMRC is still encouraging taxpayers to file and pay on time if they can, as the department reveals that, of the 12.2 million taxpayers who need to submit their tax return by January 31 2022, almost 6.5 million have already done so.
HMRC recognises the pressure faced this year by Self Assessment taxpayers and their agents. COVID-19 is affecting the capacity of some agents and taxpayers to meet their obligations in time for the January 31 deadline. The penalty waivers give taxpayers who need it more time to complete and file their return online and pay the tax due without worrying about receiving a penalty.
The deadline to file and pay remains January 31 2022. The penalty waivers will mean that:
- anyone who cannot file their return by the January 31 deadline will not receive a late filing penalty if they file online by February 28, and
- anyone who cannot pay their Self Assessment tax by the January 31 deadline will not receive a late payment penalty if they pay their tax in full, or set up a Time to Pay arrangement, by April 1.
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Angela MacDonald from HMRC said: “We know the pressures individuals and businesses are again facing this year, due to the impacts of COVID-19. Our decision to waive penalties for one month for Self Assessment taxpayers will give them extra time to meet their obligations without worrying about receiving a penalty.”
Lucy Frazer, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “We recognise that Omicron is putting people under pressure, so we are giving millions of people more breathing space to manage their tax affairs.
“Waiving late filing and payment penalties will help ease financial burdens and protect livelihoods as we navigate the months ahead.”
Time to Pay
The existing Time to Pay service allows any individual or business who needs it the option to spread their tax payments over time. Self Assessment taxpayers with up to £30,000 of tax debt can do this online once they have filed their return.
The 2020/21 tax return covers earnings and payments during the pandemic. Taxpayers will need to declare if they received any grants or payments from the COVID-19 support schemes up to 5 April 2021 on their Self Assessment, as these are taxable, including:
- Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)
- Other COVID-19 grants and support payments such as self-isolation payments, local authority grants and those for the Eat Out to Help Out scheme.
The £500 one-off payment for working households receiving tax credits should not be reported in Self Assessment.
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Susie Hughes © Shout99 2022
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