At M&S Accountancy and Taxation we understand that there can be good reasons why tax payers are unable to complete a tax return on time. On the whole, we find HMRC and Companies House for Company Accounts to be reasonable and understanding when it comes to unusual circumstances that have made it difficult to file on time. For example, it’s unlikely that an extension would not be received from Companies House (at least initially) following poor health or a family bereavement. This, however, does not mean that any old excuse will do. Recently, we noticed that a pub owner lost an appeal at a first-tier tribunal after claiming that they did not complete a tax return when requested during the pandemic as they believed the Government and HMRC had shut down during lockdown.
This got us thinking about some of the funniest excuses that people have tried to get away with – and, it must be said, some of them are extremely inventive…for example:
Unfortunately for the people who came up with them, and to no great surprise, all the above did not cut it with HMRC and Companies House.
If you have a genuine reason for not completing your tax return on time, or if you simply need help to complete you tax return or accounts on-time, please get in touch with us.
Callum McKinnon, M&S Accountancy and Taxation