News reports located on this page = 3.

Get quacking with less than a month to go

5.4 million taxpayers have less than a month to complete their Self Assessment Tax Returns before the 31 January 2019 deadline. More than 11 million 2018/19 Tax Returns are due back with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) by the end of January 2019. Around 54% of taxpayers have already filed their returns with more than 5.6 million of those completed online (89% of the total returns filed).

Angela MacDonald, HMRC's Director General for Customer Services, said:- "The Self Assessment deadline on 31 January 2019 is fast approaching so customers have just under a month left to file their Tax Returns online to avoid any unnecessary penalties. Any Tax due is also payable by 31 January 2019. We know that can be a worry and not only when large sums are involved, so I would urge anyone who is expecting to find it difficult to pay their Tax to get in touch with us as soon as possible. We will do everything we can to help and provide practical support."

If you are completing Self Assessment for the 1st time or are yet to start your 2018/19 Tax Returns, there is a wide range of support and guidance available on:- GOV.UK to help at every stage of the process. For any customers who are yet to start their 2018/19 Self Assessment, films and webinars can help with each stage of the process, with bespoke guidance for individuals' varying circumstances, including a video specifically aimed at customers completing a Tax Return for the 1st time on YouTube.

Help is also available on GOV.UK or from the Self Assessment helpline on:- 0300 200 3310 and on social media.

People need to complete a Tax Returns if they:-

► Or their partner received Child Benefit and either of them had an annual income of more than ₤50,000.

► Received more than ₤2,500 in other untaxed income, for example:-

► From tips or commission.

► Money from renting out a property.

► Income from Savings, investments and dividends.

► Foreign income.

► Are self employed sole traders and earned more than ₤1,000.

► Are a partner in a business partnership.

► Are employees claiming expenses in excess of ₤2,500.

► Have an annual income of over ₤100,000.

If customers completed a Self Assessment Tax Returns, last year, but didn't have any Tax to pay, they still need to complete a 2018/19 Tax Returns unless HMRC has written to them to say it is not required.

Customers who are not sure if they need to file a Tax Returns can use the following tool to Check if you need to send a Tax Returns..

Reassurance campaign after tragic fire fatality

FIRE crews from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) are visiting homes in Litherland to provide reassurance and advice to residents on New Year's Eve after a tragic fatality in a house fire, on Church Road, Litherland. The fire occurred in the afternoon of Boxing Day, and despite an extremely fast response time of only 5 minutes, 1 person tragically lost their lives in the fire. An initial investigation has revealed that the suspected cause of the fire was the smoker's materials. Firefighters will now go out into the community around Church Road to reassure residents, provide fire safety advice, home fire safety checks, and install smoke alarms where required. Mark Thomas, Group Manager for Prevention at MFRS, said:- "This is a terrible tragedy which should never happen and we would urge communities across Merseyside to ensure that smoke alarms are installed and are tested regularly. If there is a fire, get out, get us out and stay out. Don't try to tackle the fire yourself, close the door of the room where the fire is if possible, get to a safe place and dial 999. If you have elderly or vulnerable neighbours or relatives, check on them to ensure their safety. If you hear a smoke alarm sounding in a neighbour's home or simply walking past a house, dial 999 and ask for the fire & rescue service, we would much sooner go to a false alarm than a potentially serious fire. Finally, please be extremely careful with smoker's materials, smoke outside if possible and consider stopping smoking altogether it will reduce the risk of fire for everyone in your home."

Appeal for witnesses following burglary and theft of cars

MERSEYSIDE Police Detectives are appealing for witnesses following a burglary and theft of 2 cars, on Tuesday, 31 December 2019, in Southport. We are told that around 6.45am, Officers from the Force were informed that a house on Cedar Street had been burgled and 2 cars had been taken from the address along with a Nintendo Switch console. The offenders are reported to have forced entry into the property and took keys to the 2 cars, a grey Ford Focus and a dark grey Vauxhall Corsa. Officers attended the address and CCTV and witness inquiries are ongoing.  Detective Chief Inspector Gayle Rooney, of Merseyside Police, said:- "I would urge anyone who may have witnessed suspicious behaviour, or have CCTV or dashcam footage from Cedar Street, Southport, on Tuesday, 31 December, to please contact us. Any information provided could be vital to our investigation and I can assure people locally that we will take positive action on what you tell us. You can contact Merseyside Police on:- 101, quoting ref:- '19100763093' or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111..."