Don’t send your tax return on paper

If you haven’t sent in your 2010/11 Self Assessment return, you now must send it online if you want to avoid a penalty, as the 31 October deadline for paper returns has passed.

Send in a paper tax return on or after 1 November, and you’ll have to pay a £100 penalty – even if there is no tax to pay or you pay the tax due on time – following the introduction of a new penalty regime this year. The longer you delay, the more you'll have to pay, as there are further late-filing penalties after three, six and twelve months.

Your online tax return must reach HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) by 31 January 2012. If you haven't sent an online tax return before, make sure you register for HMRC Online Services by 21 January. This will allow HMRC time to send you your Activation Code. Registering for HMRC Online Services is simple – just go to www.hmrc.gov.uk/online
It’s important to remember that, if you do send a paper return after the 31 October deadline, you cannot avoid the £100 penalty by subsequently filing online.