Self Assessment newcomers urged to register now

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging first-time Self Assessment filers who haven’t sent in a return to register for its online services now.

Registration can take up to seven working days to complete, as the final step involves HMRC sending you an activation code in the post. It’s therefore important not to leave this to the last minute, to avoid a rush to beat the 31 January filing deadline.

It’s easy to register – just visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/signup and follow the on-screen instructions.

Newcomers to Self Assessment in 2012/13 include parents with incomes above £50,000 who received Child Benefit payments from 7 January 2013. They have to pay a tax charge based on their incomes and how much of the benefit they received in the 2012/13 tax year.

31 January is also the deadline for paying any tax owed for 2012/13. Taxpayers who owe less than £3,000, and want HMRC to collect the tax they owe through next year’s tax code, need to submit their online return by midnight on 30 December.

For general help and advice on completing a return, visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/sa or call the Self Assessment helpline on 0300 200 3310 (open 8.00am to 8.00pm, Monday to Friday, and from 8.00am to 4.00pm on Saturdays).

Notes for editors

1.  Around 10.9 million people are expected to fill out a Self Assessment return for the 2012/13 tax year.

2.  The penalties for late Self Assessment returns are:

• an initial £100 fixed penalty, which applies 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 per cent of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater; and
• after 12 months, another 5 per cent or £300 charge, whichever is greater.

3.  There are also additional penalties for paying late of 5 per cent of the tax unpaid at: 30 days; 6 months; and 12 months.

4.  Follow HMRC on Twitter @HMRCgovuk

5.  Images are available on HMRC’s flickr site www.flickr.com/hmrcgovuk