With the 31 October deadline for paper tax returns just weeks away, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is urging that paper tax returns are submitted on time, or face a penalty.
The penalty of £100 fine will now be issued by the HMRC if you send a paper tax return on or after 1 November, even if there is no tax to pay or the tax due is paid on time.

Under the introduction of a new penalty regime this year, the longer you delay, the more you'll have to pay, as there are further late-filing penalties after three, six and twelve months.

The HMRC are also advising that to avoid a late-filing penalty you can file online instead. However, if you do send a paper return after the 31 October deadline, you cannot avoid the initial £100 penalty by subsequently filing online.

To find out more about the October deadline and sending a paper tax return, go to www.hmrc.gov.uk/sa/deadline-news.htm

If you send your tax return online, you get an extra three months to send it, as the deadline is 31 January.