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Thousands of civil servants have voted to strike in a long-running dispute over job cuts, privatisation and pay.

Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union members will hold a 24-hour walkout on 31 January 2007, which is also the filing deadline date for the submission of 2006 Self Assessment tax returns. Staff in 200 government departments, including HMRC, are expected to take part. Job Centres, benefit offices, courts, driving examinations and many other services are also expected to be affected by the strike.

The strike may delay the processing of some tax returns but should not affect tax payers who are keen to file at the last minute. In line with current practice, HMRC do not regard tax returns are late if they have been received by opening time on the morning of 1 February. Returns received during the day on 1 February are marked as “late” but are not subject to a penalty charge. Returns received on or after the 2 February are treated as late and will be subject to the automatic penalty charge. The charge is the lower of £100, or the actual tax liability for 2005/06.

The ICAEW is urging taxpayers to treat Monday 29 January as the new deadline. Although there is no legal basis to this advice, it may help ensure that returns which are filed manually are processed before the strike action takes place.

In a press release concerning the strike HMRC express their disappointed over the proposed strike action. They also restate that HMRC will consult thoroughly on its future structure. There is currently a policy of no compulsory redundancies or staff moves that involve a move of home until at least September 2007 and there are no plans for further outsourcing. There is also a three-year pay deal in place which was endorsed by staff ballot in 2005.

Although HMRC will endeavour to maintain services to the public and business during any strikes, they continue to advise taxpayers to file as early as possible and make payment online.

The HMRC press office have advised that larger tax offices may be manned on 31 January to receive returns, but one-to-one advice may be limited with curtailed staffing levels on the day.

A "second wave" of industrial action, including overtime bans, is planned for the run-up to the local elections in May.

PCS Strike Press Statement