REVISION 26TH JANUARY 2021 TO THIS BLOG POSTED 25TH JANUARY 2021 AS HMRC ANNOUNCES: “Self Assessment customers who cannot file their tax return by the 31 January 2021 deadline will not receive a late filing penalty if they file online by 28 February.” Link to the press release provided below.
Two important dates:
29 January 2021
The deadline to claim the third Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) is 29 January. Some have waited to see if their business has been impacted by Coronavirus “on or after 1 November 2020” before claiming. So now it’s final call! And “If your business recovers after you’ve claimed, your eligibility will not be affected as this is based on your reasonable belief that your trading profits would have been significantly reduced at the time you made your claim. You must keep evidence to support your claim.”
31 January 2021
The filing deadline for 2019/20 tax returns is 31 January 2021 – HMRC has remained resolute on this day. 31 January is still also the normal payment date for any balancing payment + first 2020/21 payment on account. As usual the 2020/21 payments on account may be applied to be reduced. Also, HMRC has made a Time To Pay arrangement much more accessible for obvious reasons. You can now set up a payment plan online if you owe £30,000 or less, do not have any other payment plans or debts with HMRC, your tax returns are up to date and it is less than 60 days after the payment deadline. For most, 60 days after the payment deadline will be 1 April so if you want to make use of this facility, do so by the end of March. If you are not eligible or cannot use the online service, then call HMRC on 0300 200 3822. This line is open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm (closed on bank holidays). You will probably get through more easily if you phone earlier in the day.
Useful links:
SEISS grant: Claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Time to Pay Tax: If you cannot pay your tax bill on time – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Press Release: No Self Assessment late filing penalty for those who file online by 28 February – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)