HMRC EXTENDS SELF ASSESSMENT DEADLINE TO FEB 2 (27/1//12)

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced that it will extend the deadline for filing self assessment tax returns until February 2nd as some of its staff plan to strike on 31st January, deadline day.

The announcement also means interest will not be charged on tax due until February 2nd. The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCSU) has announced that it will strike over contracts being given to private sector companies.

As many as 7,000 HM Revenue and Customs staff are planning to walk out at its four call centres on 31 January

HMRC has issued a series of reminders in recent weeks to advise people who need to submit forms that the final deadline is January 31st 2012.

However, HMRC has conceded that it may have to waive some fines, adding strikes at its head office to the list of valid excuses for tardiness of self assessment tax returns.

The agency says it will treat all returns that come in by midnight on 2 February as though they were submitted by 31 January. No customer will have to pay interest on payments due on 31 January that are paid on 1 or 2 February.

Acting Director General Personal Tax, Stephen Banyard, said: "We've always been very clear that we want the returns - not the penalties. For that reason, we don't want anyone who can't get through for help and advice on 31 January to be disadvantaged in any way."