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Issue:- Sunday, 10 January 2016

Headlines and reports on this page = 3 news items.    Page - 7.

Tens of thousands ring in the new year by submitting Tax Returns

A record breaking 24,546 people submitted their Tax Return online on New Year's Eve, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed. These shocking figures which have just been released by HMRC show a 2.8% rise on 1 year ago, while more than 11,467 people sent off their Self Assessment Tax Return on New Year's Day 2016 itself. Does this show that people now have to put more time into paperwork and have less time for social life and holidays than before?

HMRC said that hundreds of people decided to spend the 1st hours of 2016 completing their Self Assessment, with more than 600 people submitting their Tax Return between midnight and 10am, on New Year's Day. To some, this shows just how bad the UK is becoming, and that issues like the worry about submitting Tax Returns are just added pressure on people already hard pushed to get time to do personal things. This could help to explain some of the issues of social breakdown and increasing levels of depression and anxiety levels seen by the NHS.

The data also shows that the number of people completing their Tax Return on Christmas Day broke records, with 2,044 customers as well, an increase of 13% on 25 December 2014. Again this high level could indicate that higher levels of financial and Government paperwork is interfering with essential leisure and relaxation time, and adding yet another element of stress to people's already overburdened lives, allowing less time for religious expression, family life and social life, much to the detriment of society as a whole. 1 agency expressed the opinion that we now face a veritable monsoon of paperwork which many are not equipped to handle, thus mistakes and omissions are inevitable. Once upon a time the general public submitted their relevant data and this was entered by those best equipped to deal with the material, leaving that the majority free to deal with what they were more suited to. Now most people are assumed to understand the mind boggling mass of data the powers that be feel it necessary to amass, with sometimes dire consequences.

On Boxing Day, 5,402 customers ignored the temptation of the sales and instead chose to find their inner peace by completing their Self Assessment online. This to some could also indicate that paperwork could be damaging the economic recovery of the UK!

Ruth Owen, Director General of Personal Tax, HMRC, said:- "As we all enjoy the festive season it's easy to see how completing your Tax Return can be forgotten, but the 31 January deadline will be here quicker than we think. Our advice is, don't leave it until it's too late. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time and remember our online service is available with helpful advice and handy tips any time of the year, whether that's on Christmas Day, or even New Year's Eve."

The deadline for sending 2014 to 2015 Tax Returns to HMRC, and paying any Tax owed, is 31 January 2016. If you do not supply, you will be hit with the £100 automatic penalty for late filing.

The £100 automatic penalty for late filing has been particularly criticised because since 2012 it affects people even if a UK Citizen is not even liable for any Tax. In 2015, it was reported that about a quarter of people who had to fill in Self Assessment Returns had no liability or owed less than £50. Yet, if they got their returns in too late they would, and did, get fined!

Back in May 2015, many charities blasted the automatic £100 fine for late Tax Returns as:- "nothing short of oppressive". At that time, HM Revenue and Customs was asked by many charities to overhaul the controversial penalties said to have been imposed on nearly 1m people a year. Sadly, HMRC still have not put in any form of support in place, even if someone had missed the deadline because of serious illness or bereavement and can prove it. So many charities have pointed to these figures as a direct evidence of factors causing the fear of being powerless to prevent being fined. "These results should not be shown in a good light. HMRC is adding huge pressure on people who are often at breaking point. Many people find these forms hard to fill in and cannot afford professional advisers. If they make an error, even if they do not have any Tax to pay, they can and will be fined! Last year about 200,000 people last year missed the deadline because they failed to press the "submit" button when they filed online. Other issues have also highlighted the problems with this system. This pressure is destroying our society and people's lives!" said groups like the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group. This is compounded by the fact that errors made by HMRC do not appear to be dealt with any degree of urgency and people may be forced to wait a considerable time before their problems as addressed, let alone satisfactorily resolved. Accusations of buck passing have been made by many public bodies of late.

So do you think HMRC should celebrate the fact people fill in Tax Returns over the festive season or not?  Do you think our Government should take a step back and take a look at the system, or do you think it is correct that people are fined, no matter what...? Please email us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

If you need help with your Tax and can't afford help, go to Bridge The Gap, who are a free Tax Advice service for people in the UK.

You can find out more about them via going to:- Bridge-The-Gap.Org.UK.

The help page for HMRC can be located at by clicking on here.

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Deceased estates notice - Lilian May Jackam

Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925, any persons having a claim against or an interest in the Estate of Lilian May Jackam (also known as Lillian May) Jackam (Deceased), late of Birch Abbey Rest Home, 55 Alexandra Road, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 9HD, UK, who died on 04/10/2018, are required to send particulars thereof in writing, to the undersigned Solicitors, on or before 24/05/2019, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard only to claims and interests of which they have had notice. Churches Solicitors, 12 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BL, UK. Ref:- 'T553015.'

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