Top Ten Tax Worst Return Excuses

HMRC have just published their top ten worst tax return excuses which have all, believe it or not, been used in appeals against a late filing penalty…

1. My tax papers were left in the shed and the rat ate them
2. I’m not a paperwork orientated person – I always relied on my sister to complete my returns but we have now fallen out
3. My accountant has been ill
4. My dog ate my tax return
5. I will be abroad on deadline day with no internet access so will be unable to file
6. My laptop broke, so did my washing machine
7. My niece had moved in – she made the house so untidy I could not find my log in details to complete my return online
8. My husband ran over my laptop
9. I had an argument with my wife and went to Italy for 5 years
10. I had a cold which took a long time to go

I particularly like adding that the washing machine broke as support for the laptop breaking – so convincing! And nice to see that the dog is still still consuming paperwork but has graduated from homework to tax returns!