Don’t fall foul of the self-assessment scammers amid reminder fill out your form!

It’s a time-consuming task that many self-employed people dread – filling out their self-assessment form!

But as the January 31 deadline approaches, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging customers to be on their guard against scammers who ask for their personal information or bank details.

HMRC received more than 130,000 reports of tax scams in the 12 months to September 2023, with 58,000 of these offering fake tax rebates.

HMRC is concerned that tax scam spike could continue right up until the deadline.

Here is some advice from HMRC for customers:

• If someone contacts you saying they’re from HMRC, wanting you to urgently transfer money or give personal information, be on your guard.
• Tax scams come in many forms. Some threaten immediate arrest for tax evasion, others offer a rebate. Contacts like these should set alarm bells ringing, so take your time and check ‘HMRC scams advice’ on GOV.UK.
• Fraudsters target customers when they know they are more likely to be in contact with HMRC, which is why Self-Assessment customers should be extra vigilant to this activity and be aware of suspicious texts, emails or calls offering a refund or demanding unpaid tax.

HMRC estimates that more than 7.4 million Self-Assessment customers have filed their tax return for the 2023 to 2024 tax year since 6 April 2024. Those who miss the deadline could face a £100 late filing penalty, even if no tax is owed, and HMRC is urging people to act now and make use of the wide range of support available.

People may need to file a return if they:

• Are newly self-employed and have earned gross income over £1,000.
• Earned below £1,000 but wish to pay Class 2 National Insurance Contributions voluntarily to protect your entitlement to State Pension and certain benefits.
• Are a new partner in a business partnership.
• Have received any untaxed income over £2,500.
• Receive Child Benefit payments and need to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge because you or your partner earned more than £50,000.

Anyone contacted by someone claiming to be from HMRC in a way that arouses suspicion is advised to take their time and check the scams advice on GOV.UK.

Customers can report any suspicious texts claiming to be from HMRC to 60599 and emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.

Any tax scam phone calls can be reported to HMRC using the online form on GOV.UK. or by telephoning Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.