Weird and wonderful excuses for not submitting tax returns
Annabel Barnes • 16 September 2021
We all lead busy lives and remembering deadlines can be hard work! Not one of the weird and wonderful excuses which HMRC have heard over the past 10 years would be acceptable as a reasonable excuse for not submitting your Self Assessment on time.
Get in touch
Here’s 10 unreasonable and far fetched excuses which HMRC have heard:
- My Mother-In-Law is a witch and she put a curse on me
- I’m too short to reach the post box
- I’m just too busy
- A new junior member of staff made an error when submitting our clients self assessment as she wasn’t wearing her glasses
- By boiler had broken down and my fingers were too cold to type
- My dog ate it
- I was up a mountain in Wales, I had no signal and couldn’t find a post box
- I was on holiday
- I gave my Self Assessment to a work colleague to photocopy for me and she forgot to return it to me
- I found out my girlfriend was pregnant so I was preoccupied
HMRC also receive more excuses that were slightly more believable but, still these cannot be accepted as a reasonable excuse:
- Someone was posting it for me and forgot
- I sent a cheque from the wrong account and it bounced
- I couldn’t work HMRC’s portal
- I didn’t receive a reminder from HMRC
- I didn’t know I had to do a Self Assessment
HMRC has heard every excuse going. There’s no getting out of missing the deadline for your Self Assessment, unless of course you have what HMRC accept as a reasonable excuse:
- Your partner or close relative passed away shortly before or on the day of the deadline
- You had a medical emergency which prevented you from submitting your Self Assessment in time
- You have a serious or life threatening illness
- You had technical issues
- HMRC service issues
- A fire or a flood prevented you from meeting the deadline
- Postal delays
- You missed the deadline due to your disability
- COVID
You must be able to prove that your excuse is legitimate, otherwise you will be subject to fines and interest.
If you know you’re going to have difficulty with paying or submitting your tax return, HMRC advises that you must get in touch with them at your earliest opportunity to discuss your options.
If keeping on top of your finances and meeting deadlines is not your forte, then get in touch and we can help.
Let's talk about something that might make your head spin but is crucial for your business – VAT. Don't worry, we're going to break this down into bite-sized, digestible pieces that'll help you navigate the complexities of VAT in construction.
Technology is advancing at an unbelievable pace and it’s my job as a bookkeeper to ensure we’re keeping up with the times. We’re always looking into new ways to improve how we work in order to save time for our clients. Over the years I’ve seen so many changes to software within the industry so I thought I’d talk to you about why we use the software we use and what you should consider when choosing your accounting software.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is HMRC's initiative to digitalise the UK tax system, making it more efficient, effective, and easier for taxpayers to get their tax right. It's part of the government's wider digital transformation strategy
Let's talk about why this amazing cloud technology isn't just about keeping up with the times – it's about transforming how we work together and understand our numbers.
Managing payroll is a critical aspect of running a successful business. It ensures that your employees are paid accurately and on time, which is essential for maintaining morale and compliance with legal obligations
In this blog, you’ll discover why partnering with a professional bookkeeper is essential for managing CIS effectively and ensuring your business remains compliant.
Beauty is your thing—you’re passionate about making your clients feel amazing, which is why you decided to open your own salon. But let’s be honest, when you took the leap into business ownership, you probably didn’t give much thought to all the admin, paperwork, and that dreaded bookkeeping. Don’t worry, you’re not alone!
The New Year is now underway and I’d love to know if you’ve given any thought to your financial planning for 2025? I cannot stress the importance of financial planning. Whether you're just starting out or a well-established business, financial planning should be one of your top priorities and here’s why.
It’s very easy to get wrapped up in your business that you just don’t find the time for a break, even during the festive season. However, taking a well-earned break isn’t just a luxury—it’s essential for your long-term success.
The festive period is a time of celebration, but for businesses, it can also bring unique financial challenges. From managing seasonal expenses to planning for the New Year, ensuring your business stays on track financially is key. At Bluebells Bookkeeping, we're here to help you navigate this festive period with practical budgeting tips and expert support.