HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is urging Self-Assessment customers to be on the lookout for scam texts, emails, and phone calls from fraudsters.
Scammers impersonating HMRC
With many people expected to submit a Self-Assessment tax return for the 2022-23 tax year before the 31 January 2024 deadline, it is anticipated that fraudsters will prey on customers by impersonating HMRC.
The scams take different approaches. Some offer a tax rebate; others tell customers that they need to update their tax details or threaten immediate arrest for tax evasion.
What to do if you suspect a scam
An unexpected contact claiming to be from HMRC should be viewed as suspicious. Check HMRC's scam advice on how to identify tax scam phone calls, emails, and text messages.
You can report any suspicious communications to HMRC by:
- forwarding texts claiming to be from HMRC to 60599;
- forwarding emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk; and
- reporting tax scam phone calls to HMRC.
Filing your Self-Assessment tax return
If you need to file a Self-Assessment tax return for the 2022-2023 tax year, you must do so and pay the tax you owe by the deadline of midnight on Wednesday 31 January 2024.
See: Self Assessment tax returns: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Further help
Our Tax team can assist if you in filling out and filing your self-assessment. For further information please email us at enquiries@torgersens.com.
