A REGIONAL chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has responded to an HMRC warning of fines for the three million people yet to submit self-assessment tax returns ahead of this week’s deadline.

Brian Woods (pictured), who represents the Surrey and West Sussex region, said ahed of today’s cut off: “Filing a self-assessment tax return has been even more challenging than usual this year. It’s been hurdle after hurdle. Rather than threaten vulnerable small firms with fines, HMRC should be exercising flexibility around Thursday’s deadline for those affected.

“First came the ban on paying taxes at the post office and then the refusal of payment by personal credit card, enforced just two weeks before the deadline. Added to the mix have been HMRC website glitches, with every chance of small firms trying to get their returns out of the way early finding that they can’t complete online forms because of technical difficulties.

“Hundreds of firms affected directly or indirectly by the collapse of Carillion should be focused on their own survival, and not have that compromised by the taxman.

“FSB is encouraging all of our members to ensure they have completed their tax return, but we also want to see HMRC apply flexibility and a commonsense approach to those unable to meet the deadline due to circumstances outside of their control.”