HMRC warning as strikes hit tax office on day of major deadline | Personal finance | Finance

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Anyone due to lodge a tax return with HMRC is being warned of potential disruption as tax office workers go on strike.

HMRC workers have announced a strike for the last two days of January, 30 and 31, in a dispute over pay.

January 31 is of course the deadline for filing tax returns, when those who submit a tax return online must hand in their completed tax return or face a fine of 100 kroner.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said its members employed by a private firm at HMRC will walk out days before the tax return deadline online.

The union said more than 300 workers employed by Fujitsu Services UK in offices across the UK have been offered a 1.5% pay rise, while their in-house colleagues received 5% for doing similar jobs.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “There is no excuse for workers employed by Fujitsu to be offered less than those employed directly by HMRC.

“If the government was serious about its pre-election promise to bring in the ‘biggest wave of insourcing in a generation’, now is the chance to end the scandal of a bifurcated workforce.

“It is not too late for ministers to step in, resolve the pay issue and prevent strike action that is likely to destroy people’s tax returns.”

Those who earn income from another non-PAYE source, such as letting out a flat, running a busy personal business or selling a lot of goods online, must lodge a tax return for any profits of £1,000 or more.

Those earning £150,000 or more, even through PAYE, must also file a tax return.

Anyone who owes capital gains tax, such as for selling something (like a property or shares) that has increased in value, must also file a return.

Finally, those who have to pay the High Income Child Benefit levy, such as those earning over £60,000 and claiming the benefit, must also submit a statement by 31 January of the year following the relevant tax year (so January covers the period April 1, 2023 to March 31 2024).

Those who fail to submit a return on time face a possible £100 fine.

An HMRC spokesman said: “We have robust plans in place to ensure we continue to provide critical services to our customers during any struggle.”