Avoid these bizarre excuses for not submitting a late tax return…

Last year more than 10 million tax returns were received by the 31 January filing deadline in 2014, beating the previous year’s total of 9.61 million.

The record for the number of online returns filed over the internet, was also broken, as 8.48 million were submitted online.

If you are unsure whether to complete a tax return or would like to find out more about our tax return services you can find out more here.

Last minute rush

What we can learn from last year is that many put off completing their tax return until the last minute.

• The busiest day for online returns was 31 January, when HMRC received 569,847.
• The busiest hour occurred between 4pm and 5pm on the same day, when 45,706 returns – more than 12 per second – were received.
• And 21,027 people left it until the eleventh hour, and filed their online return between 11pm and midnight on deadline day.

This year looks set to see even more returns submitted online and we are urging those who have to file a tax return not to leave it until the last minute. Missing the tax return deadline can result in fines ranging from £100 to 100% of your tax bill (effectively meaning you pay your tax twice over).

Most bizarre excuses

HMRC released its top 10 bizarre excuses used by taxpayers for not submitting their tax returns last year. All of these people and businesses received a £100 penalty from HMRC for filing late. They appealed against the decision using these excuses, but were unsuccessful.

1. My pet goldfish died. (self-employed builder)	2.  I had a run-in with a cow. (Midlands farmer)
3.  After seeing a volcanic eruption on the news, I couldn’t concentrate on anything else.	4. My wife won’t give me my mail. (self-employed trader)
5. My husband told me the deadline was 31 March, and I believed him. (Leicester hairdresser)	6. I’ve been far too busy touring the country with my one-man play. (Coventry writer)
7.  My bad back means I can’t go upstairs. That’s where my tax return is. (a working taxi driver)	8. I’ve been cruising round the world in my yacht, and only picking up post when I’m on dry land. (South East man)
9. Our business doesn’t really do anything. (Kent financial services firm)	10. I’ve been too busy submitting my clients’ tax returns. (London accountant)