So, while people across East Midlands will be preparing for Halloween parties and stocking up on paper plates, cups and hats, those not filing online need to make sure they sort out their paper return by the new 31 October deadline.
Nine million people across the country have to file a tax return including over 420,000 in the East Midlands:
- 110,000 in Derbyshire
- 107,000 in Nottinghamshire
- 104,000 in Leicestershire
- 100,000 in Northamptonshire
Previously, the deadline for them to submit paper and online tax returns was 31 January, but from this year anyone filing on paper must do so by 31 October, or risk a £100 penalty. Online returns can still be submitted up until 31 January.
Anyone worried about switching from paper to online filing needn't be - it's far from scary. Just visit the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/sa and click "Register for Self Assessment Online". Filing online has a number of advantages - your tax is calculated automatically, you get an immediate online acknowledgement once you've filed, and it's processed faster, so any money you're owed is repaid more quickly.
So, if you're filing a paper return, make sure you get it to HMRC before 31 October - otherwise, it could come back to haunt you with a £100 late-filing penalty.
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