Swift Accountants Missed the Tax Return Deadline? What Happens Now? Your Trusted Partner for Expert Accounting and Compliance Services File Now, Save More – Let Us Ease Your Tax Burden Missed the Tax Return Deadline? What Happens Now? Missing your self-assessment tax return deadline can be stressful, but you’re not alone—and help is at hand. At Swift Accountants, we specialise in assisting clients who have missed the 31 January deadline, ensuring you minimise penalties and safeguard your financial future. What Happens When You Miss the Deadline? When you miss the 31 January deadline for your self-assessment tax return, you immediately enter the penalty stage. Here’s what you need to know: Immediate £100 Penalty: HMRC automatically imposes a £100 penalty if your return is late by even one day up to three months. Additional Penalties: If you delay further, extra penalties will accrue on top of the initial charge. Interest on Unpaid Tax: If you do not pay the tax owed by the deadline, HMRC will charge interest on the outstanding balance. These measures are designed to prompt timely compliance, but we understand that sometimes life happens. What Should You Do if You Miss the Deadline? Act Without Delay: The first step is to submit your tax return as soon as possible—even if it’s late. The sooner you file, the less severe the additional penalties and interest will be. Pay What You Can: If you’re unable to pay your full tax bill immediately, pay as much as you can to reduce the interest and penalties on the remaining balance. Every pound helps to ease the burden. What If You Have a Genuine Reason for Being Late? There are occasions when missing the deadline is beyond your control. If you “took reasonable care” to meet the deadline but were hindered by genuine circumstances, you have the right to appeal HMRC’s penalty decision. Examples of qualifying reasons include: The unexpected death of a close relative or partner shortly before the deadline. An unforeseen hospital stay or serious, life-threatening illness. Technical failures (e.g. computer or software issues) during your online return submission. Disruptions to HMRC’s online services or unexpected postal delays. Errors made by an appointed agent or tax adviser on your behalf. Please Note: Common reasons like not receiving a reminder from HMRC or finding the online system difficult are typically not accepted as valid grounds for appeal. Appealing Against an HMRC Penalty You have the right to appeal if you believe you have a genuine case for late filing. Here’s how we help: Prepare Your Appeal: Our team will help gather all necessary documentation, explaining the extenuating circumstances that prevented timely submission. Meet HMRC Criteria: We ensure that your situation fits HMRC’s eligibility requirements for an appeal. Liaise with HMRC: With our expert guidance, we represent you in discussions with HMRC to negotiate a reduction or removal of the penalty. Time is of the essence—penalties must be appealed within 30 days of the notice. The sooner you contact us, the better your chances of mitigating the additional charges. Why Choose Swift Accountants? Your Success is Our Mission At Swift Accountants, we understand that every day counts when it comes to tax returns. Our professional tax advisers are on hand to ensure your return is filed promptly and accurately, minimising penalties and interest. With extensive experience liaising with HMRC and a proven track record in resolving tax issues, we offer: Expert Guidance: Our team has in-depth knowledge of HMRC regulations and will guide you through every step of the process. Personalised Service: We tailor our advice to your individual circumstances, ensuring you receive the most effective support. Timely Action: Acting quickly can significantly reduce your financial liabilities, and our proactive approach ensures you’re not left waiting. Competitive Pricing: We offer expert services at rates designed to deliver real value and peace of mind. Ready to Resolve Your Tax Return Issues? File Now – Secure Your Financial Future. Don’t let a missed deadline derail your financial progress. Contact Swift Accountants today to receive a free consultation. Let our experts help you file your late return, negotiate with HMRC, and minimise penalties—so you can focus on your business and personal success. Real Client Testimonials “Hear from Our Satisfied Clients” All the team at swift accountants are work tirelessly to help. Hayley especially has been excellent in clearing a tax misshap we experienced. We highly recommend swift accountants. 5 STARS 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Keith JonesGreat Help I have been using swift accounts for a few years now, they have been brilliant in assisting me as my business is slowly growing with expert advice, would highly recommend. Jak K.Growth Guaranteed First year of being self employed and Swift Accountants have been fantastic with me. They have been so helpful and have made the process very simple! Highly recommended! Olivia GrantAmazing for Sole Traders, So Simple Gemma was really helpful and informative. She always took the time to ensure I knew what the process was and guided us through everything we needed. Gemma KaraliusConstant Communication Absolutely recommend Hayley she has been brilliant very professional in her job and very knowledgeable nothing is to much trouble Tracey WoodsAlways Here To Help Very efficient and friendly service. I’ve used this company for many years. Would definitely recommend. Simon IthellExpertise You Can Trust We have always had good support from Swift Accountants and would highly recommend them especially impressed with Gemma and Hayley. Thank you and keep up the excellent service. Carl BlythenExcellent Service So pleased with Rob and his team at Swift accountants always helpful and professional very prompt service either by phone or email We know we can trust them with all our Tax affairs David RobertsOutstanding Communication Working with Swift Accountants has been a game-changer for our retail business. Their expertise and dedication have streamlined our bookkeeping and tax processes, allowing us to concentrate on expanding our operations. Highly recommended! Sarah K. Business OwnerTransformed Our Financial Management The team at Swift Accountants is nothing short of exceptional. They