Deadline looms for paper tax returns

There are just days left to send your 2011/12 paper tax return to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), if you want to beat the 31 October deadline and avoid a penalty.

Paper tax returns received on or after 1 November will result in a £100 penalty – even if there is no tax to pay or the tax due is paid on time.

Every year, around 906,000 people in the North West region have to file a Self Assessment return.

If you’re not able to submit a paper return by the end of the month, you can avoid a late-filing penalty by sending your return online by 31 January.

As well as having an extra three months to file, if you file online your tax is calculated automatically and your tax return is processed faster, so any money you’re owed is repaid more quickly. Registering for HMRC Online Services is simple – just go to www.hmrc.gov.uk/online

If you are sending a paper return close to the deadline, HMRC recommends you obtain proof of posting, as this provides evidence of your posting date in the event of any appeal against a late-filing penalty.

For general help and advice on completing a return, visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/sa or call the Self Assessment helpline on 0845 9000 444.