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HMRC issues reminder on new Self Assessment penalties
HM Revenue & Customs has issued a reminder about the new Self Assessment penalties for late returns and late payments, which come into effect this autumn and apply to returns for 2010/11, and all future financial years.
The new penalties for late Self Assessment returns are:
- an initial £100 fixed penalty, which will now apply even if there is no tax to pay, or if the tax due is paid on time;
- after 3 months, additional daily penalties of £10 per day, up to a maximum of £900;
- after 6 months, a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater; and
- after 12 months, another 5% or £300 charge, whichever is greater. In serious cases, the penalty after 12 months can be up to 100% of the tax due.
New penalties for paying late are 5% of the tax unpaid at 30 days, at 6 months, and at 12 months.
Interest will also be charged on top of these penalties. The tax return deadlines remain unchanged – 31 October for paper and 31 January for online returns. The deadline for paying any tax due also remains the same at 31 January.
Just over 10 million Self Assessment returns or notices to file have been sent out by HMRC for the 2010/11 tax year.
More information on the new penalties is available from the HMRC website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/sa/deadlines-penalties.htm