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HMRC can fine you for missing multiple deadlines. You can be charged for registering for Self Assessment late, for filing your tax return late and for paying your tax bill late. And it doesn’t end there. You can be charged interest on top of this which increases the longer you leave it 😱
We’ll cover how much you pay for each in a moment (or you can just use the calculator above for instant results!) but let us first tell you how you pay:
These are the fastest ways to pay with payment most likely landing on the same day or the next day. If you’re looking for a slower way to pay (and we don’t judge you here…):
These will all take about three working days, except for Direct Debit if you’ve not set one up with HMRC before. If you’re setting up for the first time, allow five working days for this payment to go through.
Take a look at the below tables to see what you’ll be fined for missing each deadline👇
| How late you are | Fine (each gets added to the others!) |
| between 1 day and 3 months | £100 flat fine |
| between 3 months and 6 months | £10 each day |
| between 6 months and 12 months | £300 flat or 5% of your tax bill (whichever is greater) |
| over 12 months | £300 flat or 5% of your tax bill (whichever is greater) |
| How late you are | Late payment penalty |
| between 1 day and 30 days | 0 |
| between 30 days and 6 months | 5% of your tax bill |
| between 6 months and 12 months | another 5% |
| over 12 months | and another 5% |
| Period in which you were late | Annual interest rate |
| From 5 April 5th 2022 | 3.25% |
| Since 7 April 2020 | 2.6% |
| 21 August 2018 – 6 April 2020 | 3.25% |
| 21 November 2017 – 20 August 2018 | 3% |
| 23 August 2016 – 20 November 2017 | 2.75% |
| 29 September 2009 – 22 August 2016 | 3% |
| before 29 September 2009 | see the full list here |
Yes! But you will need a reasonable excuse.
Read more here about what HMRC will class as a reasonable excuse to file/pay late.
You bet it – and you’re looking at it 👀
Our late tax return payment penalty calculator includes the interest calculation that you owe. Check out the above table for the exact interest rates that you’ll pay based on your billing period.
Not done a tax bill in a little while? Not done one ever before? Don’t panic. Basically, you’ll need to file a tax return if you’ve earned over £1,000 in untaxed income (i.e. income that you don’t get a payslip for). That tax you owe depends on the type of income you’re earning. Here are some examples:
If you’re not sure about this, don’t hesitate to book a one-off tax consultation with one of our accredited accountants. They can help you get to grips with the basics if you’re struggling with historic tax reporting or unpaid taxes!
If you’re struggling with paying your bill in a lump sum, HMRC may let you set up a payment plan with them. But the key to being able to do this is giving them as much notice as possible. Get in touch with HMRC for more information on how to do this.
Or see our Guides, Calculators or Taxopedia
Now that you know all about how HMRC fine you for missing the tax filing and payment deadlines, you’re ready to delve deeper. (And who wouldn’t want to, eh?) Check out our most popular articles on HMRC filing and penalties. Left wondering, “How much tax do I pay?” – we’ve got an answer for that too. Head to our Income Tax calculator to find out your breakdown.
We know that penalties can quickly add up quickly, so we prioritise customers who missed the deadline or have to file tax returns for previous years.
At TaxScouts, we do it for you online, fast, and for just £149, all in.
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