HMRC has released its round up of the most ridiculous tax return excuses and failed expense claims from the last decade.
One person even tried to claim for more than £1000 worth of sausage and chips.
One taxpayer said the reason they weren’t able to file their tax return on time is because they were cursed by their mother-in-law, who’s a witch.
While HMRC says it’ll be lenient to those who genuinely can’t file on time, the excuse must be real and the taxpayer might be asked for evidence.
HMRC’s top failed expenses claim
One taxpayer tried to claim pet food for a Shih Tzu ‘guard dog’ as a tax-deductible expense.
FreeAgent says that HMRC has “been known to claim that guard dogs, especially those who guard a business run from home, are actually pet animals”. If HMRC doesn’t always allow expenses for traditional guard dogs, it’s unlikely this claim was ever going to get through.
Generally, all expenses need to be “wholly and exclusively” for business purposes. While it’s possible to claim care costs for working animals, there isn’t much guidance from HMRC on the tax treatment of different animals.
Read more about what you can claim as self-employed tax deductible expenses.
The top 10 worst tax return excuses and failed expense claims
Without further ado, here are the decade’s most ridiculous expenses claims and late tax return excuses (in reverse order):
- caravan rental for the Easter weekend.
- I was up a mountain in Wales, and couldn’t find a post box or get an internet signal.
- my dog ate the post… again.
- claiming £4.50 for sausage and chips meal expenses for 250 days.
- my hamster ate my post.
- I’ve been cruising around the world in my yacht, and only picking up post when I’m on dry land.
- a music subscription so I can listen to music while I work.
- pet food for a Shih Tzu ‘guard dog’.
- a DJ was too busy with a party lifestyle – spinning the decks… in a bowls club.
- my mother-in-law is a witch and put a curse on me.
There are penalties for filing late – but help is available
If you file late there’s an initial £100 fixed penalty, which applies even if there’s no tax to pay or if the tax due is paid on time. This can increase the later you leave it – read more about late penalties and reasonable excuses.
Angela MacDonald, HMRC director general of customer services, said they always offer help to those who have a genuine excuse for not submitting their return on time.
“It is unfair to the majority of honest taxpayers when others make bogus claims.
“If you think you might miss the 31 January deadline, get in touch with us now – the earlier we’re contacted, the more we can help,” she added.
