Tax deadline pushed back by staff strike

People who miss next week's tax self-assessment deadline will not be fined because of a strike by tax office staff.

HM Revenue and Customs said it will not be issuing penalties to anyone who files their tax return on February 1 or 2.

Equally, those who have tax to pay will not face any interest on payments made on February 1 or 2.
HMRC's acting director general of 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 January 31 to be disadvantaged in any way."

David Gauke, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said: "This strike could have caused thousands of people to incur fines, so I am pleased that HMRC has taken this commonsense approach.

"The Government does not want anyone trying to file their tax return on time to be unfairly penalised because they were unable to get through for help and advice on the 31st."