Late filing vs late payment
3 min read · 2025-01-15
Late filing penalties are charged for submitting your tax return late, even if you owe nothing. Late payment penalties are charged separately for not paying your tax bill on time.
- Late filing penalty: £100 fixed fee from day one, regardless of whether you owe tax
- Late payment penalty: 5% of unpaid tax at 30 days, 6 months, and 12 months
- They can apply at the same time and add up quickly
- If you cannot pay, file on time anyway to avoid the filing penalty