Skip to main content

What is HMRC new penalty point system?

What is HMRC new penalty point system?

Get Answers


HMRC New Penalty Point System

Introduction to HMRC's New Penalty Point System

HMRC has introduced a new penalty point system for VAT submissions. This system is designed to encourage timely and accurate filing. It aims to be fairer by considering the frequency of defaults.

The new penalty points regime replaces the previous system. It targets businesses that frequently submit late VAT returns. This system came into effect for VAT periods starting on or after 1 January 2023.

How the Penalty Point System Works

Under the new system, a point is given for each late submission. Penalty points are cumulative and lead to financial penalties.

A penalty is issued once a business reaches a points threshold. The threshold is determined by how frequently a business must submit VAT returns.

Thresholds and Financial Penalties

The points threshold varies depending on your filing frequency. For example, quarterly filers face a different threshold than annual filers.

Once the threshold is reached, a £200 financial penalty is charged. Additional penalties are charged for each subsequent late submission.

Resetting Penalty Points

Points can be reset to zero, but certain conditions must be met. First, a business must submit on time for a certain period.

Additionally, all outstanding returns must be submitted. Finally, any due VAT must be paid in full to reset points.

Managing Your VAT Submissions

Timely submissions prevent the accumulation of penalty points. Businesses should keep track of deadlines and filing requirements.

It's important to maintain good records and set reminders. This helps ensure all submissions are done on time.

Conclusion: Importance of Compliance

Compliance with VAT obligations is crucial for avoiding penalties. The new system seeks to support compliance by providing clear rules and thresholds.

Businesses should familiarise themselves with these new rules. Understanding the system can save businesses from unnecessary penalties.

HMRC New Penalty Point System

What is the New Penalty Point System?

The government has a new rule system for VAT taxes. This new system helps people send in their information on time.

If people are late sending their tax papers, they get points. This rule started on 1 January 2023.

How Does the Penalty Point System Work?

If you are late, you get a point. If you get too many points, you have to pay money.

You pay a fine when you have too many points. How many points you need depends on how often you file VAT.

Points and Money Fines

The number of points you can get before paying money changes. It depends on how often you file your taxes. Some people do it four times a year, and some do it once a year.

If you have too many points, you need to pay £200. If you are late again, you pay more money.

How to Remove Penalty Points

You can get back to zero points. First, you must send your papers on time for a while.

You also need to send any missing papers. You must pay all owed tax money too.

How to Manage Your VAT Submissions

Send your papers on time to avoid points. Know when things are due and make a plan for it.

Keep your papers in order and set reminders. This makes sure you send everything on time.

Why Following the Rules is Important

Following the rules helps you avoid paying fines. The new system tells you what to do clearly.

Learn the rules so you can avoid losing money. Knowing the system helps keep you safe from fines.

Frequently Asked Questions

The HMRC's new penalty point system is a regime introduced to improve compliance with tax filing deadlines by assigning points for late submissions, which can lead to financial penalties.

The new penalty point system came into effect for VAT in April 2022 and will apply to ITSA (Income Tax Self Assessment) from the 2023/24 tax year.

The system applies to VAT-registered businesses and individuals under the Making Tax Digital (MTD) regime, as well as those under the Income Tax Self Assessment.

Points are issued for each late submission. When a threshold is reached, a penalty is charged. Thresholds vary based on the tax type and frequency of filing.

Once the penalty point threshold is reached, a financial penalty will be imposed for any further late submissions until points are reset.

Yes, penalty points can be appealed if there is a reasonable excuse for late submission or if there has been an error.

Points are reset after a period of compliance, which means filing tax returns on time and not missing deadlines for a specific number of periods.

To avoid penalty points, ensure all tax returns are submitted on time and adhere to filing deadlines.

The financial penalty for exceeding the threshold is £200 for each late submission following the breach of the threshold.

Yes, there is a threshold limit based on the filing frequency, but points can continue to accrue beyond the threshold impacting future compliance and reset periods.

The reset period depends on the tax return frequency, such as annually for yearly filings, quarterly for quarterly filings, etc.

The system primarily targets businesses and individuals required to file under the Making Tax Digital requirements for VAT and Income Tax.

There is no official 'grace period'; punctual submissions are required to avoid points, but initial leniency in the system's introduction may have occurred.

Certain exemptions or exceptions may apply, such as those with reasonable excuse or specific circumstances that are considered by HMRC.

Notification of penalty points is typically communicated through digital correspondence or official letters from HMRC to the taxpayer.

Penalty points are not cumulative across different taxes; they are specific to the type of tax and the associated filing requirements.

Penalty points themselves do not affect credit scores, but unpaid penalties or significant tax issues might have financial implications.

The status of penalty points can often be checked through your HMRC online account or by contacting HMRC directly.

If you disagree with a penalty point assessment, you should contact HMRC to discuss and potentially lodge an appeal if you have valid grounds.

Like many regulations, the penalty point system can be subject to updates or changes, and it's important to stay informed through official HMRC announcements.

The HMRC has a new system to help people send in their tax forms on time. If you are late, you get points. If you get too many points, you might have to pay money as a penalty.

The new system for penalty points started for VAT in April 2022. It will start for Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA) in the 2023/24 tax year.

If you find it hard to read, you can use some tools to help. You can use text-to-speech software to read the words out loud. Highlighting text with color can also help you focus.

This system is for people and businesses who are signed up for VAT. It also helps people who do their own tax checks. This is part of a program called Making Tax Digital (MTD).

You get points if you send something late. If you get too many points, you must pay a penalty. The number of points you can get before a penalty depends on the type of tax and how often you file it.

If you get too many penalty points, you will have to pay money for being late again. This will keep happening until your points go back down to zero.

You can try to change penalty points if there is a good reason for being late or if a mistake was made.

Points go back to zero after you do the right things. This means you need to send in your tax forms on time. Make sure you don't miss doing this for a certain number of times.

To make sure you don't get penalty points, always send in your tax forms on time. Remember the deadline dates for filing.

If you miss the limit, you have to pay £200 each time you are late.

Yes, there is a limit. It depends on how often you file. But you can still get more points even after reaching the limit. These points can affect your future and when things start over again.

The reset time depends on how often you file your taxes. This could be every year for yearly taxes or every three months for quarterly taxes.

The system is mostly for businesses and people who need to send taxes online. This is for VAT (a kind of tax) and Income Tax (tax on the money you make).

There is no special time for turning things in late. You need to hand things in on time so you don't lose points. At the start, the rules might have been a bit more relaxed.

Sometimes there are special rules. People might not have to do something if they have a good reason. The people at HMRC decide if the reason is okay.

You will usually get a message or letter from HMRC if you have penalty points. This is their way of letting you know.

Penalty points are only for one type of tax. They do not add up for different taxes. Each tax has its own rules you must follow.

Penalty points won’t change your credit score. But if you don’t pay your penalties or have big tax problems, it could cause money troubles.

You can see your penalty points by looking at your HMRC online account.

If you need help, you can call HMRC to ask about your penalty points.

If you think a penalty point is wrong, you should talk to HMRC. They can help you, and you might be able to ask them to look at it again if you have a good reason.

Sometimes, rules can change. This is the same for the penalty point system. It is good to keep up-to-date by checking announcements from HMRC.

Important Information On Using This Service


This website offers general information and is not a substitute for professional advice. Always seek guidance from qualified professionals. If you have any medical concerns or need urgent help, contact a healthcare professional or emergency services immediately.

Some of this content was generated with AI assistance. We've done our best to keep it accurate, helpful, and human-friendly.

  • Ergsy carefully checks the information in the videos we provide here.
  • Videos shown by Youtube after a video has completed, have NOT been reviewed by ERGSY.
  • To view, click the arrow in centre of video.
Using Subtitles and Closed Captions
  • Most of the videos you find here will have subtitles and/or closed captions available.
  • You may need to turn these on, and choose your preferred language.
Turn Captions On or Off
  • Go to the video you'd like to watch.
  • If closed captions (CC) are available, settings will be visible on the bottom right of the video player.
  • To turn on Captions, click settings.
  • To turn off Captions, click settings again.