On 6th January 2022, HMRC that they will not charge:
· late filing penalties for those who file online by 28th February 2022 or
· late payment penalties for those who pay the tax due in full or set up a payment plan by 1st April 2022.
This is intended to give customers and their representatives additional time if they need it, and will operate in the same way as the equivalent waivers last year.
ADM Accountancy Comment
We continue to encourage our clients to file and pay on time if they can and it is worth noting some caution as the following will still apply:
There is no change to the filing or payment deadline and other obligations are not affected. This means that:
a. interest will be charged on late payment. The late payment interest rate from 4th January 2022 is 2.75%;
b. a return received online in February will be treated as a return received late where there is a valid reasonable excuse for the lateness.
This means that:
- there will be an extended enquiry window;
- for returns filed after 28 February the other late filing penalties (daily penalties from 3 months, 6- and 12-month penalties) will operate as usual;
- a 5% late payment penalty will be charged if tax remains outstanding, and a payment plan has not been set up, by midnight on 1st April 2022. Further late payment penalties will be charged at the usual 6- and 12-month points (August 2022 and February 2023 respectively) on tax outstanding where a payment plan has not been set up;
c. self-employed customers who need to claim certain contributory benefits soon after 31st January 2022 need to ensure their annual Class 2 National Insurance contributions (NICs) are paid on time – this is to make sure their claims are unaffected. Class 2 NICs are included in the 2020 to 2021 balancing payment that is due to be paid by 31 January 2022.
Benefit entitlements may be affected if they:
- couldn’t pay their balancing payment by 31 January 2022, and
- have entered into a Time to Pay arrangement to pay off the balancing payment and other self-assessment tax liabilities through instalments.
What next?
We believe that keeping effective accounts shouldn’t be a headache to any size business. We do our job well, so that you can do yours even better.
At ADM Accountancy, we support SMEs with all their accounting requirements, from bookkeeping to self-assessment and VAT returns, and Management Accounts and Wealth Management. Speak to one of the team on 01242 679767 or email enquiry@admaccountancy.co.uk today.
ADM Accountancy Services Ltd.