Kathrine Frich
£10 per day, to be exact. And the longer the delay, the steeper the cost.
£10 per day, to be exact. And the longer the delay, the steeper the cost.
Brits who missed the self-assessment tax deadline on 31 January are now facing fresh penalties from HMRC.
£10 per day, to be exact. And the longer the delay, the steeper the cost.
What’s the Deadline You Shouldn’t Ignore?
The tax return deadline passed months ago, and anyone who hasn’t yet filed is now beyond the grace period.
That means HMRC has started dishing out daily fines, racking up to £900 over three months.
The Fines Can Spiral Quickly
Missed the 31 January cut-off? You were hit with a £100 automatic penalty.
But after three months of delay, HMRC begins adding £10 per day, capped at £900.
Ignore it for longer, and the fees escalate fast.
Bigger Penalties After Six and 12 Months
Fail to file your return for six months, and HMRC will slap you with 5% of the tax owed or £300, whichever is greater.
After 12 months, expect the same charge again, potentially doubling your financial headache.
Interest on Top of Fines? Yes.
On top of the fines, HMRC is charging a hefty 8.5% interest on unpaid tax.
That’s not just annoying, it can turn a manageable bill into a major financial setback if left unresolved.
Who’s Still at Risk?
According to tax experts, hundreds of thousands of people may still be overdue.
Some may not owe tax but haven’t filed a return, bad news, as fines apply regardless of your bill.
Can You Avoid the Penalty?
Possibly. HMRC allows appeals if you have a reasonable excuse, such as:
- A serious illness
- A bereavement
- Technical problems filing online
- Issues with HMRC’s own services
What Doesn’t Count as a Valid Excuse?
Not being able to pay your bill, forgetting the deadline, or struggling with HMRC’s website usually won’t cut it.
Relying on someone else to file who didn’t follow through? You might have a case, but it’s not guaranteed.
What You Should Do Right Now
If you haven’t filed, do it immediately, even if you can’t pay yet.
Filing stops the fines from building. Then contact HMRC to discuss payment plans or potential appeals.