02 Feb 2022
More than two million self assessment taxpayers have yet to file their 202/21 tax returns despite the passing of the 31 January deadline, according to figures from HMRC.
Over 10.2 million taxpayers did file their return before the deadline, the tax authority revealed.
More than 630,000 customers filed on deadline day and the peak hour for filing was between 16:00 and 16:59, when 52,475 completed their self assessment tax return. There were 20,947 customers who completed their tax return in the final hour between 23:00 and 23:59.
Over 12.2 million customers were expected to file a self assessment tax return this year. Those yet to file now have until 28 February to submit their 2020/21 tax return and avoid a late filing penalty.
For any self assessment customer who is yet to pay their tax bill or set up a payment plan, interest will be applied to outstanding balances from 1 February. Taxpayers have until 1 April to pay their tax in full, or set up a time to pay arrangement, to avoid a late payment penalty.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Director General for Customer Services, said: 'I'd like to thank the millions of customers and agents who sent us their tax return and paid in time.
'We're waiving penalties this year to give those who missed the deadline an extra month. And customers can set up a monthly payment plan online if they're worried about paying their tax bill.'