Self assessment tax deadline 31 January 2009, fraudsters targeting taxpayers

As reminded by the Association of Chartered Certifed Accountants (ACCA), the deadline for filing self assessment tax returns online for the 2007-08 Tax Return is 31 January 2009.

If this date is missed for filing your tax return, a £100 fine will automatically be incurred.

Filing your tax return at this late stage means any tax payable will also need to be paid. If it is not received by the deadline then interest will be charged on the amount of tax owed.

Head of taxation at ACCA, Chas Roy-Chowdhury, said ‘Given the current economic climate, the government has asked HMRC to be more understanding when it comes to making tax payments, especially for businesses and sole traders. There is the opportunity to re-schedule tax payments and pay by instalment if there are problems.’

As Roy-Chowdhury also comments ‘It is extremely important to keep a line of communication open to the tax man if someone is experiencing problems with the self assessment process.’

HMRC, HM Revenue and Customs, have confirmed that between 6 April 2008 and 28 December 2008, nearly 2.8 million self assessment tax returns had been completed online. This is making good progress towards their target of 58% of tax returns being filed online.

HMRC are warning people to beware of online fraudsters who are particularly using the tax deadline to target thousands of taxpayers. They are emailing taxpayers and advising them they are due a tax refund and  requesting personal details, such as bank and credit card details, so it can be paid.

Head of HMRC, Lesley Strathie said ‘This is the most sophisticated and prolific phishing scam that we have encountered. We only ever contact customers who are due a refund in writing by post.’

She went on to say that if anyone receives an email or telephone call regarding a tax refund then they should advise HMRC so that it can be investigated. Such emails should not be opened and sent on to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk

Your bank and credit card details and all your personal information needs to be protected at all times, otherwise there is the risk of the information getting into criminal hands and you becoming the victim of identity theft.