More than 63,500 filed their 2020 to 2021 tax return online on 6 April 2021 and almost 950,000 online Self Assessment returns received so far this tax year.
HMRC has seen a growing trend in early filers. In the last 5 tax years, the number of customers choosing to file on the first day of the new tax year has almost trebled from 22,885 in 2017 to 63,521 in 2021.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:
There are many advantages to completing your Self Assessment tax return sooner rather than later, not least that if you’re due tax refund you’ll get the money within a few days.
Our new online guide helps answer many of the questions customers have about Self Assessment. Go to GOV.UK and search ‘file your tax return early’.
The Self Assessment guide will help taxpayers navigate through the tax return process, they do not need to wait and can file at a time that suits them and avoid any last-minute rush to meet the deadline on 31st January 2022.
It includes information on:
- how to get help with the tax return
- what to do when declaring furlough payments, Self-employed Income Support Scheme grants or other COVID-19 support measures
- what information is needed to start a tax return
- help with paying a tax bill
- what to do if too much tax has been paid
The pandemic has been a worrying time for Self Assessment filers and HMRC is doing all it can to support them accurately file their tax returns and meet obligations. In addition to the factsheet, guidance and help sheets are available on GOV.UK.
Be aware of copycat websites and phishing scams. Filers should search ‘self assessment’ on GOV.UK to get the correct link for the Self Assessment tax return online securely and free of charge.
Be alert if someone calls, emails or texts claiming to be from HMRC, asking for bank or other personal details, threatening arrest or demanding a money transfer. It might be a scam. Anyone who is unsure can use the checklist on GOV.UK to help them decide if the contact they received is a scam.
PAYadvice.UK 19/5/2021