ICAEW.com works better with JavaScript enabled.

TAX NEWS

More than 2m self assessment tax returns remain unfiled

Article

Published: 01 Feb 2022 Update History

Some 2.3m taxpayers missed the 31 January filing deadline, up half a million on last year. Late filing penalties will not be charged if a return is filed by the end of February, but interest has started to run on any unpaid tax.

HMRC expected 12.2m 2020/21 self assessment tax returns to be filed. It received 9.9m of those returns by the 31 January 2022 deadline, along with a further 0.4m unsolicited/late registration returns.

Around 2m returns were filed in the last week of January, which means that the filing rates are now about 0.5m behind last year, rather than the 1m reported previously. The 81% of returns filed by 31 January is well behind the 92% filed on time in 2020.

Almost 96% of returns were filed online, a similar level to last year.

ICAEW members have reported that the system seems to be under some strain as it is taking longer than usual for online accounts to be updated.

The next deadline is 28 February 2022 to avoid the £100 first late filing penalty. Time to pay arrangements need to be in place by 1 April 2022 to avoid the 5% late payment penalty; this is also the deadline for setting up a time to pay arrangement online. Interest is running now on any unpaid tax.

Tax Faculty

This guidance is created by the Tax Faculty, recognised internationally as a leading authority and source of expertise on taxation. The Faculty is the voice of tax for ICAEW, responsible for all submissions to the tax authorities. Join the Faculty for expert guidance and support enabling you to provide the best advice on tax to your clients or business.

More support on tax

ICAEW's Tax Faculty provides technical guidance and practical support on tax practice and policy. You can sign up to the Tax Faculty's free enewsletter (TAXwire) which provides weekly updates on developments in tax.

Sign up for TAXwireJoin the Tax Faculty

More from the Tax Faculty

Latest news
Making tax digital image
TAXwire

Stay up to date with the latest developments in tax by signing up to the Tax Faculty's weekly e-newsletter

Practical guidance
Cover
TAXline

Comprehensive support for Tax practitioners each month from the Tax Faculty and expert contributors.

Technical support
Tax Faculty image
Webinars

Expert advice from the Tax Faculty's technical managers on all the developments in tax policy and practice.

Open AddCPD icon

Add Verified CPD Activity

Introducing AddCPD, a new way to record your CPD activities!

Log in to start using the AddCPD tool. Available only to ICAEW members.

Add this page to your CPD activity

Step 1 of 3
Download recorded
Download not recorded

Please download the related document if you wish to add this activity to your record

What time are you claiming for this activity?
Mandatory fields

Add this page to your CPD activity

Step 2 of 3
Mandatory field

Add activity to my record

Step 3 of 3
Mandatory field

Activity added

An error has occurred
Please try again

If the problem persists please contact our helpline on +44 (0)1908 248 250