HMRC is warning taxpayers to complete their tax returns early and first-timers need to pre-register in a Press Release published in advance of the 31 January 2020 deadline. HMRC have also issued a warning to taxpayers regarding self-assessment scams.

HMRC is also reminding people who are liable for the High-Income Child Benefit Charge that they may need to file a tax return before the deadline. Those with income over £50,000 who receive child benefit, or those whose partner gets it, are liable for the charge. Taxpayers can check their annual income via their P60 or Personal Tax Account, and use HMRC’s child benefit tax calculator.

The deadline for paper tax returns was 31 October 2019 and the deadline for online tax returns and paying any tax owed is 31 January 2020. If taxpayers miss the deadline, they can face a minimum £100 penalty for late submissions.

If someone owes less than £3,000 in tax and already pays tax through PAYE, their unpaid tax for 2019/20 can be collected through their tax code in 2020/21 if they submitted their online self-assessment by 30 December 2019.

Readers are also reminded that some returns, which meet an online filing exclusion criteria, cannot be filed online for 2018/19 and must be filed on paper. The deadline for such returns is also 31 January 2020. Such returns should also be accompanied by a reasonable excuse claim to avoid a penalty. Paper returns for an exclusion case filed after 31 January 2020 will face a late filing penalty.