by business editor Trevor Sturgess

tsturgess@thekmgroup.co.uk

There are only a few hours left for taxpayers to complete their online self-assessment form and avoid a £100 penalty.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is expecting a flood of last-minute 2009/10 returns to beat the January 31 deadline.

Paper returns had to be in by October 31.

An estimated 365,000 people in Kent and Medway file a self assessment return every year (73,000 with a Canterbury postcode, 87,000 with a Medway postcode, 59,000 with a Dartford postcode and 146,000 with a Tunbridge Wells postcode).

Taxpayers who haven't registered for online filing should have done so by January 21 so if you missed that date, it could well be too late to file your online form in time to avoid a penalty. Visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/online for details.

Today is also the deadline for paying any tax owed from the 2009/2010 tax year.

There is a Self Assessment helpline on 0845 9000 444.