What is the penalty for filing a Self Assessment return late?
HMRC charges an initial £100 penalty for a late return. After 3 months, daily penalties of £10 a day apply, up to a maximum of £900. After 6 months there is a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater, and the same again after 12 months.
Figures checked against gov.uk on . General information, not tax advice.
At a glance
- Straight away
- £100
- After 3 months
- £10 a day, up to a maximum of £900
- After 6 months
- 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater
- After 12 months
- Another 5% or £300, whichever is greater
How the penalties stack
The charges add up: £100 plus a full £900 of daily penalties comes to £1,000 before the 6-month charge. That charge is the greater of 5% of the tax due or £300, so a large bill makes it far more than £300.
Late filing and late payment are separate. Paying on time does not remove a filing penalty, and filing on time does not remove a payment penalty.
Challenging a penalty
If you have a reasonable excuse, you can appeal. gov.uk says you usually have 30 days from the date the penalty was issued to contact HMRC or make an appeal. Whatever the outcome of an appeal, file as soon as you can, because the daily and percentage charges keep building while the return is outstanding.