All Personal Tax returns (self assessments) have to sent to HMRC by 31.1.18 and anytime after that will incur an automatic penalty of £100, which can rise up to £1300 the longer it remains outstanding. This is even if you had no tax due, as its a penalty for late submission not late payment of tax. Late payment of tax can incur more fines and interest upon the amount calculated at a daily rate.

Below is a list to help explain the fines process:

1. Three months late: You will receive a £10 fine for each day that it is late for the length of 90 days (£900) that is also on top of the £100 which gives a total of £1000.
2. Six months late: Along with the penalties already received you will either face a fine of 5% of the tax return amount or £300 and it is likely to be the one that is the highest.
3. In extreme cases HMRC could request 100% of the tax return amount meaning that your payment would be doubled.

Also penalties can be issued for incorrect tax returns:

1. If reasonable care has been taken: No penalty.
2. If seen as careless: 0-30% of extra tax owed.
3. Deliberate underestimation: 20-70%.
4. Deliberate underestimation and attempt to conceal: 30-100%.

Therefore it makes sense that everyone should seek the help and support of an experienced and qualified accountant or tax advisor. As a reputable firm of accountants, such as Tax Affinity Accountants, will usually save you far more money in saved taxes through their skill and knowledge than they will ever charge. Leaving you more time and money to concentrate on your business, especially in these difficult economic times.

By Anni Khan at Tax Affinity Accountants

Tax Affinity Accountants are experts in Tax and Accountancy. With branches in Surbiton , Worcester Park , Kingston upon Thames , Cheam and Epsom they are considered in the Industry to be expert accountants and tax advisors for small businesses. Helping and supporting business throughout the UK, they regularly help clients grow their business providing tailored advice and support.

For more information visit www.taxaffinity.com. To read more interesting articles like this visit www.taxaffinity.com/blog. Please feel free to comment and share this with your friends.

As of today there are only 16 working days till the 31st January 2018, which is HMRC's online self assessment deadline. Our team of experienced tax accountants, some who have worked in the top 5 accounting firms in the UK, advise everyone to make haste and ensure their tax return is done early to both minimise tax and the chance of late filing penalty.

The submission of the personal income tax return and the payment of any tax and NI due for the period 6/4/16 to 5/4/17 is midnight 31/1/18. And anyone who has not yet had their tax return done should start to worry about the 'up to £1300 fine plus interest on late paid tax' imposed by HMRC for missing the deadline. To put it further in to perspective there is an immediate penalty of £100 if the return even one day late.

The self assessment / personal tax return is required from the following types of people:

1. Self Employed (even partially) during the tax year 16/17 ie 6/4/16 to 5/4/17
2. Employed and earning over 100k for the year ended 5/4/17
3. Director or shareholder of a Company and taking dividends in the period as above
4. If you have received rental income in the period 6/4/16 to 5/4/17
5. You received savings and investments income in the period 6/4/16 to 5/4/17
6. You sold something and made a profit on the item, so are required to pay the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) eg selling shares, a property, an antique, Plant and Machinery etc
7. You have received income over £50,000 and you claimed Child Benefit
8. If you have not notified HMRC that you have left self employment and they have not confirmed that you do not need to do a 16/17 return
9. A letter / email / text from HMRC has been received by the tax payer advising them that they need to submit a tax return for the 16/17 year (note: only new registrants may get a reminder as HMRC expects old registrants to already know the deadlines and protocols required).
10. You received income from overseas including off shore companies (the law has changed)
11. You lived abroad and had income from the UK
12. You are retired and receive more than one type of pension and annual income payment pushing you over the personal income allowance
13. You have had a P800 from HMRC saying you have not paid enough tax in the year
14. You are  minister of religion or and Underwriter
15 Even if a person has died they may still need to submit a tax return to make sure they have paid the correct tax and those that receive an inheritance may need to pay for Inheritance Tax (HMRC will advise further).
16. If you have received a P11d and not paid the correct tax for the benefit in kind eg company car, private medical, gym, travel etc

So if you haven't already had your tax return done and still need to send / drop in your income and expenses information, please take heed of this reminder.

For those that have handed in their information, we will make sure it is done before the deadline and if there is any tax due we will advise you of this well before the deadline. We can even have your deadline extended in some cases as we are a registered authorised agent for HMRC.

And if your thinking of using an accountant - then make sure to note, not all accountants are the same. We recommend you use an expert in tax so he/she saves you far more in tax than you ever have to pay them for their service. A lot of accountants are using out of date knowledge they learned along time ago and never bother to keep up to date with the ever changing landscape of HMRC tax rules and regulations.

With fines up to £1300 plus interest on the amount of tax due. This means for some, the penalties can be much greater than the actual tax that would have been due. So don't delay, as you have little time left. And in the unfortunate even that you do miss the deadline  - most excuses and appeals are rejected by HMRC.

If you would like to contact us about having your tax return done by an experienced tax accountant then go to our contact us page and tell us your requirements today.

By Anni Khan at Tax Affinity Accountants

Tax Affinity Accountants are experts in Tax and Accountancy. With branches in Surbiton , Worcester Park , Kingston upon Thames , Cheam and Epsom they are considered in the Industry to be expert accountants and tax advisors for small businesses. Helping and supporting business throughout the UK, they regularly help clients grow their business providing tailored advice and support.

For more information visit www.taxaffinity.com. To read more interesting articles like this visit www.taxaffinity.com/blog. Please feel free to comment and share this with your friends.