HMRC Waives Late Filing Tax Return Penalties

The deadline to file and pay remains 31 January 2022

The penalty waivers will mean that:

• anyone who cannot file their return by the 31 January deadline will not receive a late filing penalty if they file online by 28 February
• anyone who cannot pay their Self-Assessment tax by the 31 January deadline will not receive a late payment penalty if they pay their tax in full, or set up a Time to Pay arrangement, by 1 April

Interest will be payable from 1 February, as usual, so it is still better to pay on time if possible.

Don’t forget, you will need to declare COVID-19 grants on your tax return.

Don’t forget, as a Self-Assessment tax payer you will need to declare any COVID-19 grant payments on your 2020 to 2021 tax return. These grants are taxable.

The Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) application and payment windows during the 2020 to 2021 tax year were:

• SEISS 1: 13 May 2020 to 13 July 2020
• SEISS 2: 17 August 2020 to 19 October 2020
• SEISS 3: 29 November 2020 to 29 January 2021

SEISS is not the only COVID-19 support scheme that should be declared on your tax return. If you received other support payments during COVID-19, you may need to report this on your tax return if you are:

• self-employed
• in a partnership
• a business

The following COVID-19 support schemes will also need to be reported:

• the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)
• test and trace or self-isolation payments in England, Scotland and Wales
• the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)
• Eat Out to Help Out
• Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate
• Coronavirus Business Support Grants

For information on reporting coronavirus (COVID-19) grants and support payments see: Reporting coronavirus (COVID-19) grants and support payments – GOV.UK.