1,733 Christmas Day tax returns

HMRC’s Christmas data logs reveal the busiest time for online returns on December 25 was between midday and 1pm, when 148 Yuletide returns were delivered electronically.

Christmas Eve, traditionally a much busier day for festive filing than the big day itself, saw 17,644 online returns successfully submitted.

This was up four per cent on the 17,000 received on 2013. Another 4,811 online returns ticked all the boxes on Boxing Day – a seven per cent increase on the 4,493 received last year.

In total, 24,228 online returns were received over the three-day festive period – up five per cent on the 2013 total of 23,059.

HMRC Director General of Personal Tax Ruth Owen (pictured) said: “You can file your online return at any time of day or night – even Christmas Day, if it suits you.

“But don’t leave it too late. Give yourself plenty of time to resolve any problems and if you need to call us, do it now, as our phone lines get much busier as the January 31 deadline approaches.”

The deadline for sending 2013/14 tax returns to HMRC, and paying any tax owed, is January 31, 2015.

All outstanding 2013/14 tax returns must now be submitted online, as the October 31 paper-filing deadline has passed.

To send an online tax return, you must be registered for HMRC Online Services.

This involves HMRC sending you an Activation Code in the post, and you need to allow 10 days for it to arrive.

Advice on Self Assessment can be found at HMRC’s new Facebook page at http://ow.ly/FFcYk. Help on filing your return is also available from www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns or on 0300 200 3310.