Paper filers urged to go online by HMRC

HMRC is urging self-assesment paper filers to submit early or online due to
the ongoing postal strikes by Royal Mail announced for 22 and 23 October.

A spokeswoman said that the statutory deadline has not been changed due to
the postal strike.

In a statement HMRC said: “It’s your responsibility to make sure that your
return is received on time.”

Adding: “Please make sure you allow plenty of time for it to reach HM Revenue
& Customs before the 31 October deadline for paper tax returns.”

Although there were 2.4m paper returns filed last year there were six million
online filers with that number growing according to HMRC.

There has already been 1,940,924 internet returns from 6 April 2009 – 11
October 2009. This is an increase of 21.5% on the same period last year.

The deadline for hand delivery of returns is Monday 2 November with online
filers given until the end of January 2010.

Any returns that are late due to the postal strike will not incur a fine as
long as they can produce proof of postage, confirmed a HMRC spokeswoman.

Further reading:

Post office strike could hit tax penalty revenues