Posted: 15 / 11 / 2017

There’s a lot to be said for those who don’t manage to submit their tax returns on time.

But for some of the population whose tardy timekeeping leaves them in a bit of a pickle, it can often resort to desperate measures in a last bid attempt to escape the late submissions penalty.

As the years go on, the extravagance of excuses increases, and with the ongoing creativity of certain individual businesses, some of them really do deserve an A for effort.

Sifting through what can only be described as an ‘interesting’ read from the HMRC, Sedulo rounded up just a few of the top excuses for late Tax returns.


1. “My tax papers were left in the shed and a rat ate them”


2. “I’m not a paper orientated person – I always relied on my sister to complete my returns but we have fallen out”


3. “I had an argument with my wife and went to Italy for five years”


Needless to say, none of these excuses quite made the cut, and as much as HMRC sympathise with genuine, reasonable circumstances, the unfortunate events of family quarrels and pet problems just don’t wash.

Put the effort made into making excuses into completing tax returns and escape all penalties. Submit your Self Assessment Tax Returns by deadline day 31st January 2018 to avoid disappointment.

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