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With the 31 January self assessment filing deadline only weeks away, HMRC have issued yet another reminder urging people to file their returns online and on time.

Last year, almost 2.9m people filed their SA return online. That represented a 40 per cent increase on the previous year. HMRC strongly believe that online filing is the best way to submit tax returns. It is safe, secure and convenient and has a number of other benefits including:

•  the tax calculation is automatic;
•  customers receive an immediate acknowledgement;
•  repayments are, in theory, received more quickly;
• customers can view their liabilities and payments in an online statement of account and receive reminders by secure email or text messages;
• returns can be completed in stages, as they can be saved for up to 30 days; and
• it's available day or night, so customers can use it whenever it's convenient for them.

Anyone thinking of filing online can watch HMRC's video podcast - Introduction to SA Online online at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/podcasts.

There is still time to register, but anyone wishing to use online filing for the first time needs to act quickly. To register for online filing, visit http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/, select 'Self Assessment' from the 'do it online' menu, and follow the instructions. Once this is completed, a pin number will be sent through the post. It may take up to 7 days for the pin number to arrive.

Customers needing help with their self assessment return should visit the self assessment pages on the HMRC website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/sa where there is a mass of useful information. Alternatively, there is a helpline (0845 9000 444), which is open seven days a week between 8.00am and 8.00pm.