Thousands file their tax returns on Christmas Day

Filing a self-assessment tax return on Christmas Day is probably not top of anyone’s wish-list but that’s what thousands of taxpayers did on 25th December instead of enjoying the festivities.

According to new data from HM Revenue and Customs, a record 3,003 people filed their tax returns on 25th December – a 15% rise on 2018 when just over 2,500 did theirs on Christmas Day.

Of those who filed on Christmas Day, 248 people had completed and submitted their tax return by 8am instead of having breakfast or opening presents.

In total, 12,257 taxpayers used Christmas Day and Boxing Day to file their tax returns – a 9% increase on 2018's figures.

The busiest time on 25th December was 8am to 4pm, when 1,458 filed their returns, while a further 1,297 had submitted theirs between 4pm and midnight. Boxing Day was even more popular for a spot of tax return filing with 9,254 people doing just that – 5,000 of whom had filed theirs sometime between 8am and 4pm.

About 5.4 million taxpayers have less than a month to complete their self-assessment tax returns by the 31st January 2020 deadline. Around 54% of taxpayers have already filed their returns with more than 5.6 million of those completed online (89% of the total returns filed).

Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “The self-assessment deadline on 31st January is fast approaching so customers have just under a month left to file their tax returns online to avoid any unnecessary penalties. Any tax due is also payable by 31st January.”

5.4 million taxpayers have less than a month to complete their Self Assessment tax returns before the 31 January deadline.https://t.co/jeP8fPWf5h

— HMRC Press Office (@HMRCpressoffice) January 3, 2020

Do I need to file a tax return?

You will need to complete a tax return if you:

• or your partner received Child Benefit and either of them had an annual income of more than £50,000
• received more than £2,500 in other untaxed income, for example:
• from tips or commission
• money from renting out a property
• income from savings, investments and dividends
• foreign income
• are a self-employed sole trader and earned more than a £1,000
• are a partner in a business partnership
• are employees claiming expenses in excess of £2,500
• have an annual income over £100,000

If you completed a self-assessment tax return last year but didn’t have any tax to pay, you still need to complete a 2018 to 2019 tax return unless HMRC has written to you to say it is not required.

We can help

If you are having to complete a self-assessment tax return for the first time and don’t know where to start, we can help.

We will use HMRC-approved software to complete your tax return, calculate your tax liabilities, submit the return online and liaise with you on the amounts to be paid and their respective due dates.

This comprehensive service is available for a fixed, competitive price. To arrange a free initial consultation on self-assessment ahead of the 31st January 2020 deadline, call us today on 01268 904360 or drop us a line using our online enquiry form.

Date published 3 Jan 2020 | Last updated 3 Jan 2020