North: Fines warning over late tax returns

Almost 44,000 taxpayers in the North were fined last year for missing the self-assessment tax return deadline, it emerged tonight.

HM Revenue & Customs warned anyone who fails to submit their form by midnight on January 31 will face a £100 (€146) fine.

Roy Massingdale, HMRC director of self-assessment, said people who file their returns online should do so as soon as possible to avoid the last-minute rush.

Mr Massingdale said: “We expect the last few days will see a record number of returns being filed through the HMRC website.

“We want people to get in early, avoid peak traffic and get the smoothest service.

“It is also important for people to remember that if they post their return to us, it needs to be received by January 31.”

Across the UK 10 million self-assessment forms were issued in 2004/5 and a total of 1.7 million penalties were served. Of that number 43,720 were issued in the North

A special helpline – 0845 900 0444 – has also been opened for people who need more information.