HMRC October 31 warning over £100 fine for thousands of people

You have to take action, or at least check whether you need to

335,000 people have been warned not to miss an HMRC deadline at the end of October, or risk of fine of £100. The paper self-assessment tax return deadline on October 31 means thousands of people have to send in their forms or risk penalties.

Many forms can be filled in online, by the January deadline, but some people will need to submit paper forms. If you earn extra money, or make money through things such as rent and savings as well as running your own money-making venture, you may need to pay tax.

You can check with HMRC here.

Alastair Douglas, CEO of TotallyMoney said: “For many, submitting tax returns online by January 31, 2025, will not only be the easier option, but the one which buys the most time. However, more than 300,000 people are quickly headed toward this month’s October 31 paper tax return deadline.

“With fines of £100 in place for late submissions of up to three months, it’s important not to get caught out. And if you need to fill in the foreign income and gains, or the trust and estate pages — you’ll be required to do it with a paper form as they’re not available to complete online.

“For some with vulnerabilities or in special circumstances, physical forms might also be easier. This can include having dyslexia, autism, or a similar condition, sensory disabilities, or other health conditions such as stress and depression. And if this includes you, then contact HMRC’s extra support team for assistance. They’re specially trained, and can guide you through the process with a video appointment or phone call — you’ll just need to mention your situation when contacting the HMRC helpline or webchat.

“You can also designate somebody to deal with HMRC on your behalf, and this doesn’t just have to be a tax or accountancy professional or voluntary organisation, but can also be a close friend or family member who you trust. There are forms available so don’t hesitate to get support if you need it.”