A record-breaking 10.4 million UK taxpayers filed online in 2019. The total number of taxpayers who submitted their Self-Assessment tax return by the 31 January deadline (11.1 million) was also a record.
A record breaking 11.1 million taxpayers made their contribution to the UK’s public services by hitting the 31 January deadline. The number filing online soared to more than 10.4 million for the first time ever.
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About 11.7 million UK residents were required to file their 2018 to 2019 tax returns by 11.59pm on 31 January. More than 700,000 submitted their tax returns on deadline day, the peak hour for filing was between 4pm to 4:59pm when 56,969 filed.
Thousands of people filed their tax returns at the last minute, with 26,562 completing their returns from 11pm to 11:59pm on Friday 31 January 2020.
Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:
“It’s great to see that the majority of customers have submitted and paid their tax returns before 31 January. While few people enjoy the process it’s good to get it out the way and know you have contributed towards our vital public services. I’d like to thank everyone who filed and paid on time.”
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By GlobalData“Get in touch if you’re late”
Customers who have missed the deadline should contact HMRC, MacDonald said.
“The department will treat those with genuine excuses leniently, as it focuses penalties on those who persistently fail to complete their tax returns and deliberate tax evaders,” the UK tax collecting agency noted in a release. “The excuse must be genuine and HMRC may ask for evidence.”
Tax is automatically deducted from the majority of UK taxpayers’ wages, pensions or savings. For people or businesses where tax is not automatically deducted, or when they may have earned additional untaxed income, they are required to complete a Self-Assessment tax return each year.
