ByJames Connington
The Telegraph
People have come up with ever-more inventive excuses for not filing their tax return this year, as the date to file with HM Revenue and Customs for self assessment is fast approaching.
Excuses for not filing a return include someone claiming their wife “has been seeing aliens and won’t let me enter the house”, and another who claimed they couldn’t go upstairs to retrieve their paper tax return due to vertigo.
One person tried to dodge the filing by saying “my business doesn’t really do anything”, while another said they had been “far too busy touring the country” with their one-man play.
There were some equally creative attempts at claiming expenses, which are used to offset tax bills.
Attempted claims included birthday drinks at a Glasgow nightclub, vet fees for a rabbit, and “a three-piece suite for my partner to sit on when I’m doing my accounts”.
One hungry taxpayer attempted to lodge an expense claim for a £4.50 sausage and chips meal, for 250 days. Another tried to expense hotel room service for candles and prosecco.
All of these were rejected by the taxman.
Angela MacDonald, of HMRC, said: “It’s unfair to make honest taxpayers pick up the bill for other people’s spurious claims, so HMRC will only accept sincere claims, such as legitimate expenses for a job.”
Those who need to file a self assessment tax return have until January 31 to do so. It can take a few days for a return to process, so leaving it until the last minute could still lead to a fine.
Those who think they might miss the deadline should contact HMRC as soon as possible.
The Telegraph
People have come up with ever-more inventive excuses for not filing their tax return this year, as the date to file with HM Revenue and Customs for self assessment is fast approaching.
Excuses for not filing a return include someone claiming their wife “has been seeing aliens and won’t let me enter the house”, and another who claimed they couldn’t go upstairs to retrieve their paper tax return due to vertigo.
One person tried to dodge the filing by saying “my business doesn’t really do anything”, while another said they had been “far too busy touring the country” with their one-man play.
There were some equally creative attempts at claiming expenses, which are used to offset tax bills.
Attempted claims included birthday drinks at a Glasgow nightclub, vet fees for a rabbit, and “a three-piece suite for my partner to sit on when I’m doing my accounts”.
One hungry taxpayer attempted to lodge an expense claim for a £4.50 sausage and chips meal, for 250 days. Another tried to expense hotel room service for candles and prosecco.
All of these were rejected by the taxman.
Angela MacDonald, of HMRC, said: “It’s unfair to make honest taxpayers pick up the bill for other people’s spurious claims, so HMRC will only accept sincere claims, such as legitimate expenses for a job.”
Those who need to file a self assessment tax return have until January 31 to do so. It can take a few days for a return to process, so leaving it until the last minute could still lead to a fine.
Those who think they might miss the deadline should contact HMRC as soon as possible.
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