Our 2020/21 self-assessment survey results indicate that chartered accountants are facing delays in the preparation of tax returns. Last week the Institute discussed the survey results with HMRC and highlighted that members continue to experience difficulties in completing returns due to COVID-19 disruption and advocated for the extension of the 2020/21 deadline.
In a meeting with senior HMRC officials, Chartered Accountants Ireland said that nobody wants to be in this situation again, but Covid-19 is an impediment to the preparation of SA income tax returns and an early move by HMRC to extend the deadline is necessary in the interest of the health and safety of accountants and their clients. Over 60 percent of the respondents to our survey want the SA deadline extended by 1 month sighting COVID-19 disruption as the reason for delays to the preparation of tax returns.