Number of tax returns filed online hits new heights

According to HM Revenue & Customs, (HMRC) a record-breaking number of tax returns were filed online this year.

Almost seven million taxpayers came close to missing the deadline of 31 January, but a last-minute rush saw a bevy of self-assessment returns being filed just in time. The number of returns filed online this year was seven per cent higher than in 2010.

However, 572,455 taxpayers didn't file their return until 31 January, the very last day, and, of that number, 49,000 were submitted between 4pm and 5pm.

This year marks the 11th year that tax returns have been able to be filed online, and this method now accounts for 78 per cent of all returns filed.

The Chartered Institute of Taxation's John Whiting said, “Online filing is now very well established and going well.

“However the rate of increase is now tailing off, which is not surprising as there will always be some people who want to file by paper - so we don't want to head for online filing only,” he added.

Those filing paper returns had an earlier deadline of 31 October 2010.