New HMRC penalty rules 2025: How to avoid fines for late tax returns

The year 2025 brings significant changes to HMRC penalty rules. These updates aim to encourage timely tax submissions and payments while ensuring fairness.

However, the penalties for non-compliance can be costly. To avoid fines, taxpayers must understand the new rules and take proactive steps.

This guide explains the HMRC penalty rules 2025 and provides strategies to stay compliant.

What are the new HMRC penalty rules 2025?

The new HMRC penalty appeal process regime introduces stricter measures for late submissions and payments. These changes are part of the Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative, which focuses on improving compliance.

Key features of the HMRC penalty rules 2025

1. Late Filing Penalties
   • An initial £100 fine is imposed if a tax return is late, even if no tax is due.
   • Daily penalties of £10 apply for up to 90 days after three months of delay.
   • At six months, an additional penalty of £300 or 5% of the tax owed (whichever is higher) is charged.
   • After 12 months, further penalties apply, especially for deliberate delays.
2. Late tax return fines 2025
   • 0-15 Days Late: No penalty if payment is made or a payment plan is arranged within this period.
   • 16-30 Days Late: A 2% penalty on the amount outstanding at day 15 applies.
   • 31 Days or More: A second penalty of 2% on amounts outstanding at day 30 is added, plus daily interest at an annual rate of 4%.
3. Interest Rate Increase
   • The interest rate on unpaid taxes will rise from 7.25% to 8.75% starting April 2025.

Why have these changes been introduced?

The new system aims to reduce the tax gap by encouraging compliance. In the financial year 2023/24, HMRC collected £1,169m in penalties, a record high driven by increased enforcement efforts and crackdowns on fraud.

However, early figures for 2024/25 show a 31% drop in penalty revenues compared to the previous year, suggesting a shift towards leniency or improved taxpayer compliance.

Understanding late submission penalties

HMRC has introduced a points-based system for late submissions:

• Taxpayers receive one point for each missed deadline.
• Once a threshold is reached (e.g., four points for quarterly submissions), a £200 fine is issued.
• Additional £200 fines apply for every subsequent late submission while points remain above the threshold.

Thresholds based on submission frequency

Resetting points

Points can be reset to zero if taxpayers meet two conditions:

1. Complete a compliance period (e.g., submit all returns on time for 12 months for quarterly filers).
2. File all outstanding returns before the reset.

How to avoid HMRC penalties?

Late payment penalties are calculated based on how long tax remains unpaid:

Tips to avoid late payment penalties

1. Pay your tax bill as soon as possible after filing your return.
2. Set up a direct debit to ensure payments are made automatically by the deadline.
3. If you cannot pay in full, contact HMRC early to arrange a “Time to Pay” agreement.

Reasonable excuses and appeals

HMRC allows taxpayers to appeal penalties if they have a reasonable excuse for missing deadlines. Examples include:

• Serious illness or hospitalization preventing timely submission or payment.
• IT failures when filing online through HMRC’s portal.
• Natural disasters such as floods or fires affecting records or operations.

Appeals must be submitted within 30 days of receiving the penalty notice.

How businesses are affected by MTD rules in 2025?

Making Tax Digital (MTD) continues to expand in scope:

1. From April 2024, businesses with income over £10,000 must file through MTD software.
2. From April 2025, all other self-assessment taxpayers will also be required to comply with MTD rules.

Businesses that fail to adapt may face increased penalties under the new regime.

1. In the financial year 2018/19, HMRC collected £753m in penalties from taxes and duties (excluding National Insurance).

This dropped to £447m during Covid but rebounded to £762m by 2022/23. 2. The bumper year of 2023/24 saw penalties surge by 53%, reaching £1,169m, largely due to enforcement around Covid support schemes and offshore non-compliance disclosures. 3. Early figures for April-August 2024 show a year-on-year decrease of £161m in penalty revenues, a potential sign of improved taxpayer compliance or leniency from HMRC.

Practical steps to stay compliant under new rules

1. Understand Your Deadlines: Mark key dates like self-assessment filing (31 January) and corporation tax return deadlines (12 months after your accounting period ends).
2. Use Digital Tools: Invest in MTD-compatible software such as QuickBooks or Xero to automate calculations and submissions.
3. Prepare Early: Gather all necessary documents well before new UK tax return deadlines, including income statements and expense records.
4. Monitor Payments: Set reminders for due dates and use direct debit where possible.
5. Seek Professional Help: Consult accountants or tax advisors who specialize in compliance with HMRC regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

The updated HMRC penalty rules in 2025 emphasize timely compliance with tax regulations through stricter measures for late filings and payments.

By understanding these changes and adopting proactive strategies such as using digital tools, setting reminders, and seeking professional advice when needed, taxpayers can avoid unnecessary fines while staying compliant with UK tax laws.

With interest rates rising and stricter enforcement measures in place, now is the time to ensure your processes are robust and error-free!