The worst excuses for late tax returns
Albert Einstein, who invented the theory of relativity and is widely considered one of the greatest thinkers of the 20th century, reportedly found income tax an almost incomprehensible burden.
If it baffled him, it's understandable that normal people might find it difficult to fill out their tax returns - and a list of excuses for not doing so published by HM Revenues and Customs suggests that many Britons try their best to avoid the onerous task.
Topping the charts is a self-employed builder who told the organisation he hadn't returned his forms because of the death of his goldfish. Losing a pet is always sad, but possibly doesn't wash as a reason for not sorting out your tax.
A Midlands farmer was delayed by a run-in with a cow, while a woman in London was flooded by vicarious trauma after seeing a volcanic eruption on television and apparently being left unable to concentrate on anything else.
Other excuses included the complaint from one hen-pecked husband that his wife wouldn't show him the mail, and a financial services firm in Kent that suggested its business didn't really do anything and as such shouldn't need to pay any tax.
HMRC's director general of personal tax Ruth Owen said that, while these were outliers, there will always be a few people who try to get out of paying their share.
"If you haven’t yet sent your 2012 to 2013 tax return to HMRC, you need to do it online and pay the tax you owe by the end of January. With all the help and advice available, there's no excuse not to," she added.
Although genuinely unforeseen events can make it difficult to send out tax forms, the death of a goldfish is not one of them, concluded the expert.
All of the people included in this list received a £100 fine for late payment and failed in their appeals.
Signup to receive the latest discipline specific articles
Related articles
![How to become a change manager: qualifications and requirements](https://attraxcdnprod1-freshed3dgayb7c3.z01.azurefd.net/1481115/1438233e-ba19-4fa6-bc88-cbe12d4d2518/2023.17000.2532/Blob/post_no_image.jpg)
Teaser
Change & TransformationContent Type
Career Advice
23/07/24
Summary
What is a change manager? A change manager ensures that business-wide changes are executed smoothly and effectively. This could be the implementation of a new process, system, or organisational
by
James Thompson
![Five reasons change management is important in times of uncertainty](https://attraxcdnprod1-freshed3dgayb7c3.z01.azurefd.net/1481115/1438233e-ba19-4fa6-bc88-cbe12d4d2518/2023.17000.2532/Blob/post_no_image.jpg)
Teaser
Change & TransformationContent Type
General
23/07/24
Summary
In the modern world of business, change management plays an important role in delivering results and ensuring employees are successful. Whether spurred by technological advancements, shifts in m
by
Cillian Mcevoy
![Why is change management important in transformation?](https://attraxcdnprod1-freshed3dgayb7c3.z01.azurefd.net/1481115/1438233e-ba19-4fa6-bc88-cbe12d4d2518/2023.17000.2532/Blob/post_no_image.jpg)
Teaser
Change & TransformationContent Type
General
23/07/24
Summary
In the modern world of business, change management plays an important role in delivering results and ensuring employees are successful. Whether spurred by technological advancements, shifts in m
by
Oliver Bradley
Related jobs
Salary:
£65,000 - £80,000 per annum + + bonus + benefits
Location:
City of London, London
Industry
FinTech
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Financial Services
Salary
£80,000 - £100,000
Job Discipline
Qualified Finance
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
An exciting opportunity for a Commercial Finance Analyst to join a growing international FinTech.
Reference
BBBH181444
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Florin HodinituAuthor
Florin HodinituSalary:
£150,000 - £175,000 per annum + equity, bonus and benefits
Location:
London
Industry
Healthcare
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Executive Search
Salary
£175,000 - £250,000
Job Discipline
Private Equity Executive Search
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Marks sattin executive search is working with an effective international, PE Backed healthcare buy and build business
Reference
TA 3325
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Executive SearchAuthor
Executive SearchSalary:
Equity, Bonus and Benefits
Location:
Essex
Industry
Transport & Logistics
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Executive Search
Salary
£125,000 - £175,000
Job Discipline
Private Equity Executive Search
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Marks Sattin Executive Search is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to join a fast-growing PE-backed B2B business based in Essex.
Reference
TA 3324
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Executive SearchAuthor
Executive SearchSalary:
£100,000 - £120,000 per annum
Location:
City of London, London
Industry
Investment Banking & Capital Markets
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Financial Services
Salary
£100,000 - £125,000
Job Discipline
Qualified Finance
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
An exciting opportunity to join an international Bank and play a pivotal role in driving financial excellence, growth and transformation.
Reference
BBBH181445
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Florin HodinituAuthor
Florin HodinituSalary:
£180,000 - £200,000 per annum + Equity, Bonus and Benefits
Location:
City of London, London
Industry
Energy, Resources and Industrial
Business Services
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Executive Search
Salary
£175,000 - £250,000
Job Discipline
Private Equity Executive Search
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Marks Sattin Executive Search is working with a successful PE Backed B2B Infrastructure Consultancy business based in Central London
Reference
TA 3323
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Executive SearchAuthor
Executive SearchSalary:
Negotiable
Location:
Chorley, Lancashire
Industry
Consumer & Retail
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Commerce & Industry
Salary
£50,000 - £60,000
Job Discipline
Qualified Finance
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Finance Manager (Management Accounts) - 40% home working
Reference
BBBH180107
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Laura HalloranAuthor
Laura HalloranSalary:
Up to £55,000 per annum
Location:
Edinburgh
Industry
Business Services
Qualification
None specified
Market
Commerce & Industry
Salary
£50,000 - £60,000
Job Discipline
Qualified Finance
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Delighted to be working once more with one of our long standing clients, who due to restructure are recruiting a Commercial Financial Controller
Reference
BBBH179738
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Laura HalloranAuthor
Laura HalloranSalary:
£85,000 - £95,000 per annum
Location:
Bristol
Industry
Technology
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Commerce & Industry
Salary
£80,000 - £100,000
Job Discipline
Qualified Finance
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Marks Sattin have been engaged by an international software services company based in Bristol to recruit a Group Financial Controller.
Reference
BBBH181364
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Ben NeeamuthkhanAuthor
Ben NeeamuthkhanSalary:
£50,000 - £55,000 per annum
Location:
Bristol
Industry
Manufacturing
Qualification
None specified
Market
Commerce & Industry
Salary
£50,000 - £60,000
Job Discipline
Part Qualified & Transactional Finance
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Marks Sattin have been engaged on an exclusive basis to recruit a fantastic Capex Buyer role for a very exciting client based in the Bristol area.
Reference
BBBH181424
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Ben NeeamuthkhanAuthor
Ben NeeamuthkhanSalary:
Negotiable
Location:
London
Industry
Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Commerce & Industry
Salary
£80,000 - £100,000
Job Discipline
Qualified Finance
Contract Type:
Contract
Description
A 6-month contract Senior Finance Business Partner role with a globally renowned research organisation in London.
Reference
JAR2802
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Julia AruciAuthor
Julia Aruci