The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals ……………………………………………………………Policy News Journal
Taxpayers warned of HMRC scam email 18 January 2017
As is usual in the lead up to the 31 January self assessment tax return deadline, fraudsters are on the go again with HMRC scam emails.
Taxpayers have been warned that fraudsters are targeting Britons completing their tax returns, by sending fake emails asking them to create a "government gateway account", which then requests their personal banking details. Customers who receive an email with the subject line "# Refund Payment Confirmation Number" followed by an 11-digit number, are being warned to report and erase the message immediately.
If you do receive an email you’re unsure about send it to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk , or if it’s an SMS message forward it to 60599.
HMRC has guidance on genuine contacts and recognising phishing emails.
You can also find further advice on online safety at http://www.getsafeonline.co.uk/ .
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One week countdown to tax deadline 25 January 2017
There is now less than one week left until the 31 January self-assessment tax return deadline for 2015-16.
Assisting HMRC, the media is warning tax payers not to leave completing their tax return until the last minute as mistakes can results in penalties if HMRC considers that not enough care has been taken. Late returns will mean a £100 fixed penalty with further filing fines kicking in on 1 May 2017 when HMRC will charge taxpayers with overdue tax returns £10 per day. The additional £10 per day penalty can be charged for a maximum of 90 days and so anyone who still has a return outstanding at the end of July will have accumulated fines of £1,000 in total. They are also likely to incur a further penalty of at least £300 if the return is not filed by 31 July 2016.
The penalties for late tax returns are:
an initial £100 fixed penalty, which applies even if there is no tax to pay, or if the tax due is paid on time after three months, additional daily penalties of £10 per day, up to a maximum of £900 after six months, a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater after 12 months, another 5% or £300 charge, whichever is greater.
There are also additional penalties for paying late of 5% of the tax unpaid at 30 days, six months and 12 months.
And remember lame excuses will not be accepted, however fines can be appealed against if there is a reasonable excuse for filing a return late.
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HMRC advise against outlandish expenses claims 25 January 2017
Ahead of the 31 January deadline, HMRC has released its latest list of the most peculiar (and unacceptable) items which have been claimed as expenses. The top ten claims for 2014-15 returns were:
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