HMRC threatens bogus penalties

If you're signed up to receive reminders from HMRC about self-assessment, you'll have received several texts and/or emails about the filing and payment deadline, which is 31 January (this Saturday). The reminders may be helpful for some, but the scaremongering tactics are not. The most recent text begins with "Remember to pay by 31 January to avoid a penalty". Whilst the payment deadline is 31 January, it simply isn't true that you'll be charged a penalty if you don't pay on time. Whilst we don't advise missing the deadline, the fact is late payment penalties don't kick in until you're 30 days late as stated online. 

However, you will be charged late payment interest, at 7.75% per annum. As far as interest rates go, this is eye-wateringly high, but if you need a few days to make the payment it isn't likely to break the bank. For example, if your tax bill is £3,000, the late payment interest charge is less than £4.50 per week.

If you're in real financial difficulty you should contact HMRC as soon as possible to agree a payment plan.