HM Revenue and Customs has revealed its top 11 unusual explanations why Self Assessment customers didn’t complete their tax return on time.
These were:
• My tax return was on my yacht, which caught fire.
• A wasp in my car caused me to have an accident and my tax return, which was inside, was destroyed.
• My wife helps me with my tax return, but she had a headache for ten days.
• My dog ate my tax return...and all of the reminders.
• I couldn't complete my tax return, because my husband left me and took our accountant with him. I am currently trying to find a new accountant.
• My child scribbled all over the tax return, so I wasn't able to send it back.
• I work for myself, but a colleague borrowed my tax return to photocopy it and lost it.
• My husband told me the deadline was the 31st March.
• My internet connection failed.
• The postman doesn’t deliver to my house.
• The reasons above were all used in unsuccessful appeals against HMRC penalties for late returns.
Ruth Owen, HMRC director general of customer services, said: “Blaming the postman, arguing with family members and pesky insects – it’s easy to see that some excuses for not completing a tax return on time can be more questionable than others. Luckily, it’s only a small minority who chance their arm.
“But there will always be help and support available for those who have a genuine excuse for not submitting their return on time. If you think you might miss the 31 January deadline, get in touch with us now - the earlier we’re contacted, the better.”
The deadline for sending 2015-16 Self Assessment tax returns to HMRC, and paying any tax owed, is 31 January 2017.