With the deadline for filing self-assessment tax returns approaching in January and HMRC preparing to up its communications to self-assessment customers, the Treasury has warned freelancers to be wary of scams. HMRC has revealed that close to 800,000 tax-related scams have been reported in the last year, including almost 360,000 fake rebate referrals, with self-assessment tax returns often used in attempts to steal money or personal information.
As the self-assessment deadline on January 31 2022 approaches, customers will start receiving more contact from HMRC. This week, over 4 million email and text communications will be sent to self-employed workers by HMRC. Scammers seek to take advantage of this increased level of communication and the approaching deadline through malicious texts, emails and phone calls, which typically pose as being from HMRC.
HMRC communications offer freelancers guidance and support regarding their self-assessment tax returns and encourage customers to consider how they will pay their bill and to seek support if they believe they won’t be able to pay their tax in full by January 31.
HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, Myrtle Lloyd, said: “Never let yourself be rushed. If someone contacts you saying they’re from HMRC, wanting you to urgently transfer money or give personal information, be on your guard. HMRC will also never ring up threatening arrest. Only criminals do that.”
“Scams come in many forms. Some threaten immediate arrest for tax evasion, others offer a tax rebate. Contacts like these should set alarm bells ringing, so if you are in any doubt whether the email, phone call or text is genuine, you can check the ‘HMRC scams’ advice on GOV.UK and find out how to report them to us.”
