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SMEs reminded to register early to file tax returns online

Jan 03 2008

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has reminded small businesses and self-employed people who wish to file a tax return online that they must register at least a week before the deadline.

The January 31 deadline for self-assessment tax returns is looming ever closer, and while many SMEs and entrepreneurs are familiar with the benefits of filing online – automatic calculation of tax owed, instant notification of receipt – leaving it to the last minute could create problems for those who have not registered.

Last year, 2.9 million tax returns were filed online, with 150,000 of them arriving in the last 24 hours before the deadline.

A spokesperson for HMRC explains: 'Once the online registration is completed, a pin number will be sent to you through the post. It may take up to seven days for the pin number to arrive, so register as soon as you can.'

The tax authority has also produced a video podcast, explaining the benefits of filing a tax return online – the first ever produced by a government department.

It can either be downloaded to a media player or watched online, and is available from the HMRC website.

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