HMRC - late return penalties and appeals

[MDWat]

Morning,

Just wondering if someone can give me some advice.

I’ve registered for self-assessment due to my earnings and my partner claiming child benefit. My earnings went above the threshold in July 2023 but I’ve received a letter from HMRC this morning advising I’ve a penalty because I didn’t submit a tax return for the year ending 5 April 2023.

Am I being dim? Why did I need to submit one for that tax year if my earnings weren’t above the threshold.

I’ve sent an appeal in - what else should I do?

Appreciate any responses, ta!

[StuffyClaret]

I have had 'issues' in the past that are often resolved with a quick phone call to HMRC (if you are happy to hold).

They get a lot of bad press but the actual call handlers can be pretty useful at times.

[ALP]

Talk to em, they are great when you do get through.

Once registered you need to file a report whatever your circumstances, it allows them to make 'their' decision.

[Sausage]

I had exactly the same issue when I first registered for self-assessment tax and was fined £100 for not sending a tax return for the previous year. I rang them and got it rescinded. From memory it wasn't too much of a faff.

[AfloatinClaret]

Once you're registered you need to do a return EVERY year, until they tell you to stop, irrespective of earnings; I stopped earning enough to pay tax in 2010 - some years since I haven't earnt even a penny - but it was only in 2019 that the stopped asking... Sods Law, I then did some paid work in 2020/21 and I'm now back to doing them again.

[MDWat]

They were excellent to be fair, when I eventually navigated their ridiculous IVR!

All sorted, thanks for the replies.