20/02/2020
Thousands file tax returns through self-assessment over Christmas
Thousands of taxpayers used the Christmas break to file tax returns for 2018/19 through self-assessment.
Statistics from HMRC showed that 34,292 taxpayers submitted tax returns between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.
Precisely 22,035 taxpayers filed on 24 December 2019, followed by 3,003 on Christmas Day and 9,254 on Boxing Day.
The number of people who submitted their papers to HMRC on Christmas Day 2019 increased by 387 on the previous year, when 2,616 people filed their returns.
The peak filing hour for submissions was between 12pm and 1pm on Boxing Day, when 946 tax returns were filed.
The number of taxpayers using Christmas Day or Boxing Day to submit their tax returns in 2019 increased from 11,061 in 2018 to 12,527 in 2019.
Angela MacDonald, director-general for customer services at HMRC, said:
“Whether they squeezed it in before tucking into a Christmas pudding, after the Queen’s Speech, or trying to grab a bargain during the festive sales, our online service was available to file tax returns at any time they wished.
“Customers had to file their tax returns online by 31 January to avoid any unnecessary penalties. Any tax due was also payable by 31 January.”
Around 11 million tax returns were filed before the midnight deadline for 2018/19 came and went on 31 January 2020. The HWB tax team filed 1205 tax returns before the deadline.
For further information on Self-Assessment Tax Returns, please contact Helen Spalding on 023 8046 1234.
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