ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is warning anyone who submits an online self-assessment tax return to make sure it is completed and returned to HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) by the end of January or face a £100 fine whether you owe tax or not. Brian McGuire, ACCA Ulster Network said: “There is no escaping the fact that if you do miss the deadline HMRC will fine you. At a time when money is tight for the majority of people, the last thing you need is to pay for something that could be easily avoided.

“HMRC will take seriously any errors in your returns, so I would urge anyone to make sure they seek the help of a professionally qualified accountant. HMRC will apply a £100 fine if you are just a day late in submitting your return, this applies whether you owe tax or not.”

For more information on self-assessment tax returns visit: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/sa/index.htm

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For further information please contact Shane Finnegan or Katrina Frazer on 028 9066 3000

Notes to Editors

1. ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants. We aim to offer business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.

2. There are over 20,000 members and students in Ireland.

3. We support our 154,000 members and 432,000 students in 170 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. We work through a network of over 80 offices and centres and more than 8,400 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through our public interest remit, we promote appropriate regulation of accounting and conduct relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.

4. Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability. We believe that accountants bring value to economies in all stages of development and seek to develop capacity in the profession and encourage the adoption of global standards.