With 10 days to go before the 31 January self assessment tax deadline, it’s bizarre excuses and claims time.
HMRC has highlighted 10 of the best received from people who missed the mark over the past 10 years.
So, in reverse order, here’s a list of top excuses and odd claims received by the tax office:
- 10. Caravan rental for the Easter weekend
- 9. I was up a mountain in Wales, and couldn’t find a post box or get an internet signal
- 8. My dog ate the post … again
- 7. Claiming £4.50 for sausage and chips meal expenses for 250 days
- 6. The hamster ate my post
- 5. I’ve been cruising around the world in my yacht, and only picking up post when I’m on dry land
- 4. A music subscription so I can listen to music while I work
- 3. Pet food for a Shih Tzu ‘guard dog’
- 2. A DJ was too busy with a party lifestyle – spinning the deck….in a bowls club
- 1. My mother-in-law is a witch and put a curse on me
All the excuses and expenses listed above were unsuccessful.
Angela MacDonald, HMRC director of customer services, says: “We try to make it as easy and simple as possible for our customers to complete their tax returns.
“The majority make the effort to do theirs right and on time.
“But, we still come across some unusual excuses and expenses which range from problems with a mother-in-law to yachts set on fire.
Honest taxpayers
“We always offer help to those who have a genuine excuse for not submitting their return on time. It is unfair to the majority of honest taxpayers when others make bogus claims.
“If you think you might miss the 31 January deadline, get in touch with us now – the earlier we’re contacted, the more we can help.”
The deadline for sending 2018-19 self assessment tax returns to HMRC, and paying any tax owed, is 31 January 2020.
Help to complete your return is available on HERE.
