HMRC accepting bulk appeals for late tax returns

With HMRC recognising the extra pressures faced this year, accountants and tax agents will be able to send bulk appeals against late filing penalties caused by Covid.

HMRC has confirmed that Covid-19 may be accepted as a reasonable excuse for any appeals made against a late filing penalty for tax returns filed after the 28^th of February.

Those representing the individuals and businesses who have not been able to file by this date will need to complete a bulk appeals form.

In order for them to be processed correctly agents are required to do the following:

• Each bulk appeals form can only be used for a maximum of 25 clients. Further forms can be submitted for additional clients.
• Bulk appeals forms must be sent to HMRC (using the address: Bulk Agent Appeals, HM Revenue and Customs, BX9 1ZH), and if multiple forms are completed, these should be sent in separate envelopes.
• All fields on the form should be completed for each client – without this, HMRC will not process the appeal for that client.
• This form must only be used where the tax return was not filed by the 28^th of February 2022 due to COVID-19 (if the penalty is subject to appeal on other grounds, please use existing channels).

An individual can of course make their own appeal, which can be completed via the government website.

To find out more about contracting please contact Jaime on 01442 795 100 or email jaime.thorpe@dolanaccountancy.com.