
HMRC imposes penalties for late filing, late payment, and inaccuracies in the Self-Assessment tax return. Here are the key penalties associated with the HMRC Self-Assessment:
Late Filing Penalties:
- If you miss the deadline for filing your Self-Assessment tax return, which is usually 31st January following the end of the tax year, you will incur an initial penalty of £100. This penalty applies even if you have no tax to pay or have already paid the tax you owe.
- If you continue to delay filing your tax return beyond three months after the deadline, additional penalties of £10 per day may be imposed, up to a maximum of £900.
- After six months of delay, a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300 (whichever is greater) will be added.
- If the tax return remains outstanding after twelve months, an additional penalty of 5% or £300 (whichever is greater) will be applied.
- If you fail to pay the tax you owe by the payment deadline, which is also 31st January, you will incur late payment penalties.
- Initially, if you miss the payment deadline, you will be charged interest on the outstanding amount.
- After 30 days, a 5% penalty will be added to the outstanding tax amount.
- If the tax remains unpaid after six months, an additional 5% penalty will be applied.
- Further penalties of 5% can be added if the tax is still unpaid after twelve months.
- If there are inaccuracies or errors in your Self-Assessment tax return, HMRC may impose penalties based on the nature and seriousness of the inaccuracies.
- If the errors are considered careless or deliberate but not concealed, penalties can range from 0% to 30% of the additional tax due.
- If the errors are deliberate and concealed, penalties can range from 20% to 100% of the additional tax due.
- If you voluntarily disclose inaccuracies or errors to HMRC before they discover them, the penalties can be reduced.