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21st June 2010
HMRC tightens tax return laws
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is planning to abolish its concession for the late filing of tax returns, it has emerged.
Contract and freelance workers will be among those that need to ensure all relevant documentation is submitted on time, as there will no longer be a 'grace' period.
The Extra Statutory Concession (ESC) B46 – which came into effect in 1995 - meant employers and contractors would not be penalised if the HMRC received their tax returns within seven days of the filing date.
However, the organisation has announced that this allowance will no longer apply from March 31st 2011, stating that all returns will now need to be submitted no later than the specified date via the HMRC website facility.
The group explained that any late charges applied will only be reversed by special request.
"Any customers filing a return late will, as now, be able to request us to remove any penalty, if they believe they had a reasonable excuse for the delay in filing. We will consider every case on its own merits," it said.
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