Tax Forum :: Free Tax Advice

Sorry for the stupid question but if I file for self assessment and I don't actually owe any tax and I don't fill in a return, will I get a penalty?

Have HMRC asked you to complete a return?


If you have not been asked to fill in a tax return there can be no late filing penalties. The earliest due date for a tax return is 2 months after you have been asked to complete one.

If you have no more tax to pay, you have no further obligation. If you do have tax to pay there may be a penalty for failure to notify. That will be based on the amount of tax you owe.

But the corollary applies: if you are asked to file a tax return and you fail to do so, there can be penalties irrespective of whether you had any tax to pay.