Many happy returns from 4,757 festive filers on Christmas Day!

A day traditionally dominated by:- eating, drinking, and exchanging gifts saw a perhaps surprising number of customers also find time to go online and complete the essential job of filing their tax return for the:- 2022 to 2023 tax year, ahead of the:- 31 January 2024 deadline.

Over the 3 day festive period, 25,769 customers submitted their tax return, an increase compared to the same period last year, with 8,876 filing on:- Christmas Eve, and 12,136, on Boxing Day. The peak time was between:- 12:00 and 12:59, on Boxing Day, when 1,121 returns were received by HMRC.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Director General for Customer Services, said:- "Our Christmas Day filers proved that there is no time like the present to get started on Self Assessment, and with our online tool it can be a simple task that's easy to fit around other festive commitments. There's no need to delay, getting it done ahead of the:- 31 January 2023 deadline means less stress and longer to work out payment options. Get started today by searching:- 'Self Assessment,' on GOV.UK."

Customers can submit their tax return online, but they do not have to pay until:- 31 January 2024. However, those who file before:- 30 December 2023 may have the option of paying any tax owed through their PAYE tax code. 

HMRC has a wide range of resources online including a series of video tutorials on YouTube, help and support on:- Gov.UK, to support customers in completing their tax return.

They can pay through the free and secure HMRC app. For a full list of ways to pay any tax owed, visit:- Gov.UK.  

If customers cannot pay in full by the deadline, they may be able to set up a Time to Pay arrangement online if the amount owed is less than £30,000. There is a new affordability assessment for customers to enter their income and spending to calculate disposable income and set up an affordable payment plan.  

Customers need to be aware of the risk of falling victim to scams and should never share their HMRC login details with anyone, even a tax agent, if they have one. HMRC scams advice is available on:- Gov.UK.

Letter to Editor:- "Be Aware of Meningitis and Sepsis in the winter months."

"I would like to remind families to be on the lookout for the symptoms of meningitis, sepsis and other associated diseases especially at this time of the year, should a family member, work colleague or friend become unwell. Traditionally throughout the winter months we see a sharp increase in infections that can cause meningitis and sepsis. These diseases often strike with incredible speed and it is of the utmost importance that medical advice is sought immediately should someone show suspected symptoms of these diseases. I lost my son 41 years ago to bacterial meningitis and sepsis. So much has been achieved during that time regarding vaccine development. We now have 5 meningitis vaccines in the UK national immunisation program and everyone should make sure that their meningitis vaccinations are up to date. The highest incidence is in the under 5s and between:- 15 and 24 years. (Including University students) Sadly, we do not have vaccines to protect against all infections causing meningitis and sepsis. For example:- Invasive Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) is a main cause of sepsis and can also cause meningitis and other life threatening diseases including:- rheumatic fever and pneumonia. That's why Spencer Dayman Meningitis Research are funding a pioneering vaccine development program to prevent iGAS. In the meantime, knowing the symptoms followed by prompt medical intervention is crucial towards a successful outcome. For further information regarding the symptoms of meningitis and those that may exist with sepsis, together with the important work of this charity, please visit:- SpencerDaymanMeningitisResearch.Org." Yours faithfully, Founder: Spencer Dayman Meningitis Research, Dr Steve Dayman MBE.