Self Assessment taxpayers are being given more time to file their return - with deadlines and late payment fines being pushed back because of Covid19.

HM Revenue and Customs is waiving late filing and late payment penalties for one month to give people extra time to complete their 2020 to 2021 tax return and pay any money owed.

More than 12 million taxpayers need to submit a tax return by January 31 - with only around half having done so already.

HMRC says it recognises the demands being placed on everyone by Covid19 - particularly since the arrival and rapid spread of Omicron which is threatening to disrupt millions of workers - and so is pushing back both the deadline for submission and therefore also extending the time frame available before taxpayers risk a fine.

Anyone who cannot file their return by the January 31 deadline will not receive a late filing penalty if they file online instead by February 28.

While anyone who cannot pay their Self Assessment tax by the end of this month will not receive a late payment penalty if they pay their tax in full, or set up a Time to Pay arrangement which allows people to spread their tax payments over a longer time, instead by April 1.

However interest will be payable from February 1 as usual, say officials, so it remains still better to pay on time where possible.

Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s deputy chief executive and second permanent secretary, said: "We know the pressures individuals and businesses are again facing this year, due to the impacts of Covid19.

" Our decision to waive penalties for one month for Self Assessment taxpayers will give them extra time to meet their obligations without worrying about receiving a penalty."

The 2020 to 2021 tax return covers earnings and payments during the pandemic and so taxpayers will need to declare if they received any grants or payments from the Covid19 support schemes up to April 5, 2021. This might include money from the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme or the £500 self-isolation support payments.

To learn more about the changes to deadlines and penalties and for more about submitting a Self Assessment form, visit www.gov.uk/hmrc