Don't be scared, you still have time to submit your paper tax return

Date: 14/10/15

Don't be scared, you still have time to submit your paper tax return

As Halloween quickly approaches, most people may be worried about ghosts and ghouls, but individuals are warned to be more concerned about their paper self-assessment tax return. 

The deadline for submission of this year’s annual paper tax return is midnight on 31 October and businesses and individuals who use this method must submit their return and all supporting evidence to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Any paper returns submitted after this date could leave a taxpayer liable to fines or investigation from HMRC. 

Those that miss the paper deadline will have a second chance to return their documents in the form of an online tax return in the new year, using their unique taxpayer reference (UTR) provided by HMRC.  

It is important that those who wish to return their self-assessment tax return in paper form do so before this month’s deadline. 

Submitting the return after this date could lead to a fine, even if you then complete an electronic return ahead of the online deadline of 31 January 2016.

The government is currently in the process of developing a new online system that will do away with the traditional self-assessment return by 2020, but until then it is vital that businesses and individuals meet their annual tax return deadlines.

We are pleased to say that, where possible, all of our clients self assessment tax returns are submitted electronically and therefore have until the 31 January 2016 to submit their return.  However, if the 31 October 2015 deadline is a concern, please speak to Alan Taylor at the office.


Alan Taylor FCCA

Author: Alan Taylor FCCA

A former pupil at Ripley St Thomas C of E High School in Lancaster, Alan joined Scott & Wilkinson directly from school in 1994 and qualified as an Accountant in 2001.  Alan is responsible for a variety of clients operating in...

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