‘Time is running out’ – Last chance for Caithness folk to submit tax returns
Traders and others are being reminded that there is less than two weeks left to submit online tax returns and pay any tax owed to HMRC.
Advice Direct Scotland says that people must complete the process and settle their tax bills by midnight on Friday, January 31, to avoid fines.
Anyone registered for self-assessment for the 2023/24 tax year must submit their completed form online and pay any tax owed by this deadline.
Missing the deadline could result in an automatic £100 penalty, which increases after three months.
Paying your tax bill late can also lead to fines. The amount depends on how much tax is owed and how late the payment is.
Advice Direct Scotland offers a free tax helpline and website, taxadvice.scot, backed by HMRC, to help you understand your tax obligations.

If you need help navigating the self-assessment process, you can call a specialist adviser on 0800 756 3381.
Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said: “Time is running out. There’s not much time left to get your self-assessment return in order and pay any tax you owe to HMRC, so if you have been putting it off, you should act now.
“If you don’t meet the deadline at the end of this month, you will start to accrue fines on top of your 2023/24 tax bill, which will get steeper the longer you delay.
“If this is the first time you’ve gone through the process, don’t worry – our taxadvice.scot service can help people in Scotland navigate the complexities of the UK tax system.
“Our advisers can assist people struggling to fill in their self-assessment forms or who have any other queries about their tax obligations, completely free of charge.
“Anyone who is confused should know that calling HMRC isn’t their only option. You can visit taxadvice.scot or call us on 0800 756 3381.”
There are several reasons people might need to fill in a tax return, including if they are self-employed as a “sole trader” and earned more than £1000 during the tax year.
People with total taxable incomes of more than £150,000, those who had to pay Capital Gains Tax during 2023/24 and those who need to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge also need to register for self-assessment.
Those who earned any untaxed income, such as money from renting out a property, tips and commissions, and income from savings, investments and dividends, may also have to declare it by filling in a tax return.
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The deadline for registering for self-assessment for the 2023/24 tax year was October 5 last year, while the deadline for submitting a paper tax return fell on October 31.
As well as advice on self-assessment, taxadvice.scot staff can answer questions on a wide range of areas, from PAYE to National Insurance queries.
They can also offer guidance on tax related to pensions, inheritance tax, capital gains tax, and marriage allowance, as well as help with claiming child benefit and tax credits.
Customers can also receive support in claiming tax refunds and managing any tax-related debts.
Scottish businesses can also benefit from the service, with advice on VAT registration, corporation tax, and compliance issues.