01/06/2026
Got a brown envelope from HMRC you've been ignoring?
You're not alone — and it's not as bad as you think. But it does need dealing with.
Every year, sole traders and CIS subcontractors rack up penalties for late Self-Assessment returns that could have been avoided, or at the very least, reduced significantly.
Here's what most people don't realise:
HMRC will charge you £100 the day your return is late. After 3 months, daily fines kick in. After 6 months, it goes up again. And interest runs on any tax you owe.
But — and this matters — once you file, the penalties are fixed. They stop growing.
The worst thing you can do is nothing.
If you're behind, here's the move:
→ Don't panic — late returns are fixable
→ Gather your income records (bank statements, CIS vouchers)
→ Get your expenses together — this often reduces what you owe dramatically
→ File as soon as possible to stop the daily fines
→ If there's a genuine reason for the delay, a reasonable excuse appeal can sometimes remove penalties
I regularly help clients who are one, two, even three years behind get fully up to date — calmly, without the stress.
If that sounds like your situation, DM me "LATE" and let's get it sorted.