Labour introduces harsher penalties for late taxpayers

The Chancellor’s Spring Statement introduced harsher penalties for late taxpayers under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self-Assessment (MTD for ITSA).

With the Government confirming an extension to sole traders and landlords earning more than £20,000 from April 2028, a lot more taxpayers – an estimated 900,000 – will need to pay tax via MTD for ITSA.

Under the current rules, you will not receive a penalty if you pay your tax within the first 15 days of the deadline.

Penalties then apply at the following rates:

• Day 15 – two per cent of the unpaid tax
• Day 30 – four per cent of the unpaid tax
• Annual interest rate on late payments – four per cent of the unpaid tax

However, from April 2025, the new penalty rates will be:

• Day 15 – three per cent of the unpaid tax
• Day 30 – six per cent of the unpaid tax
• Annual interest rate on late payments – 10 per cent of the unpaid tax

The 15-day grace period, however, will remain.

These increased penalties only apply to taxes paid under MTD for ITSA.

How to avoid late tax penalties

Higher penalty charges will be painful for those with cashflow difficulties, businesses still getting to grips with MTD for ITSA, and those who simply forget to pay their taxes on time. 

To avoid getting caught out, make sure your bookkeeping is up to date and that you have money set aside for tax bills in advance. 

Give yourself plenty of time to submit your tax return and make payments. Leaving everything to the last minute will be even more costly than before.

Avoid getting caught by costly penalties. Get in touch today for urgent advice and guidance.