If you’re one of the 5.5 million taxpayers leaving your self-assessment to the last minute, it may be worth checking you have a valid excuse for late submission.
The Revenue classifies a reasonable excuse as something that stopped you meeting a tax obligation that you took reasonable care to meet. These include:
• your partner or a close relative dying shortly before the tax return or payment deadline
• you had an unexpected stay in hospital which prevented you from dealing with your tax affairs
• you had a serious or life-threatening illness
• your computer or software failed just before or while you were preparing your online return
• a fire, flood or theft prevented you from completing your tax return
• postal delays that you couldn’t have predicted
• delays related to a disability.
Talk to your accountant about your tax return if you are experiencing problems.
