Turkey dinner and tax returns

Completing your tax return may not be top of your priorities on Christmas Day, but that didn’t stop 2,616 taxpayers from filing their Self Assessment returns on 25 December.

For some taxpayers completing their return on Christmas Day is as traditional as spending time with family and friends, or waiting for the Boxing Day sales to start. The peak time was between 1pm and 2pm, when more than 230 customers filed.

Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:

“This year, more than 2,600 taxpayers chose to file their returns on Christmas Day.

“Whether you fit it in while cooking the Christmas turkey, once the kids have gone to bed, or after the Queen’s Speech; our online service is available for you to file your tax return, at a time that suits you.”

More than 11 million taxpayers are expected to complete a 2017/18 Self Assessment tax return form by 31 January 2019.

The number of tax returns filed during this period were:

25 December (total 2,616)

• 00.00 - 08.00: 204
• 08.01 – 16.00: 1,372
• 16.01 – 00.00: 1,040

26 December (total 8,465)

• 00.00 – 08.00: 348
• 08.01 – 16.00: 4492
• 16.01 – 00.00: 3,625

For any customers who are yet to start their 2017/18 Self Assessment, there are films and webinars which take you through each stage of the process, with bespoke guidance for individuals’ varying circumstances. Help is also available on GOV.UK or from the Self Assessment helpline on 0300 200 3310 and on social media.

If customers completed a Self Assessment tax return last year but didn’t have any tax to pay, they still need to complete a 2017/18 tax return, unless HMRC has written to them to say that it is not required.

Notes to Editors

1. Key filing figures:

• 2,616 taxpayers filed on 25 December 2018
• Peak filing hour on 25 December was 1-2pm (231 tax returns were filed)
• 8,465 taxpayers filed on 26 December 2018
• Peak filing hour on 26 December was 1-2pm (723 tax returns were filed)

2. Self Assessment guidance is available online https://www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-return

3. 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.

4. Follow HMRC’s Press Office on Twitter @HMRCpressoffice

5. HMRC’s Flickr channel www.flickr.com/hmrcgovuk