HMRC Penalties

HMRC are changing the way penalties are charged for late filing of tax returns and payment of tax.

From April 2011, if you don't file your Self Assessment Tax Return or pay your tax on time, the penalties you will have to pay are changing. The more you delay the greater the penalty.

Penalties for late filing of tax return:

• One day late and you will be charged an initial penalty of £100 (even if you have no tax to pay or you have already paid all the tax you owe).
• Three months late and you will be charged an automatic daily penalty of £10 per day, up to a maximum of £900.
• Six months late and you will be charged further penalties, which are the greater of 5% of tax due or £300
• Twelve months late and you will be charged yet more penalties, which are the greater of 5% of tax due or £300. In more serious cases you face a higher penalty of up to 100% of the tax due.

Penalties for paying tax late are:

• Thirty days late and you will be charged an initial penalty of 5% of the tax unpaid at that late.
• Six months late and you will be charged a further penalty of 5% of the tax that is still unpaid.
• Twelve months late and you will be charged a further penalty of 5% of the tax that is still unpaid.

These penalties are additional to the interest you will be charged on all outstanding amounts, including unpaid penalties, until full payment is received.