Journey
Respond to a Self Assessment penalty
What to do if you have received a Self Assessment penalty notice from HMRC. Understand the penalty, check whether you have a reasonable excuse, and decide whether to appeal.
Received a Self Assessment penalty?
If HMRC has sent you a penalty notice, do not ignore it. You have 30 days to appeal. This guide helps you understand the penalty, check your options, and take action.
-
Understand your penalty
Check the penalty notice to understand what it is for — late filing, late payment, or both. The amount depends on how late you are and how much tax is owed.
Avoid Self Assessment penalties
Full breakdown of penalty types, escalation timelines, interest charges, and how penalties are calculated.
-
Check whether you have a reasonable excuse
HMRC may cancel a penalty if you had a genuine reason beyond your control for missing the deadline. The excuse must have prevented you from filing or paying, and you must have acted as soon as the excuse ended.
-
File your return and pay what you owe
Even if you are appealing the penalty, file your return and pay as much as you can immediately. This stops further penalties accumulating and shows HMRC you are taking action.
Pay your Self Assessment tax bill
Payment methods and what to do if you cannot pay in full. Includes Time to Pay arrangements.
-
Appeal the penalty or correct your return
You have 30 days from the date on the penalty notice to appeal. If HMRC rejects your appeal, you can request a statutory review or appeal to the Tax Tribunal. If the penalty relates to an error on your return, correct the return first.
Correct your Self Assessment return
How to amend your return within the 12-month window, or claim overpayment relief after it closes.